On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, the New Hampshire (NH) House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hear public testimony on HB 1680, which seeks to restrict newly-defined “retail pet stores” to include anyone with a physical facility who transfers more than 30 dogs per year at retail. Residents and New Hampshire breeders are strongly encouraged to contact the committee in opposition. This is a House companion bill to SB 541, which had a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on January 4.
SUMMARY: House Bill 1680 would:
- Create a new pet vendor definition for “retail pet store” as any licensed pet vendor that transfers animals at retail to the public from a physical facility;
- Cap these “retail pet stores” to transferring cats and dogs at 2023 levels;
- Prohibit the sale of “retail pet stores” to anyone but family members; and
- Require future New Hampshire “retail pet stores” to source dogs and cats only from animal shelters.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes these changes. In 2019, NH removed the legal distinctions between those who sell animals as “pet vendors/shops or dealers”, and those who produce and raise animals as “breeders/commercial and hobby breeders”. As a result, anyone simply transferring more than 30 dogs per year must be licensed as a “pet vendor”. Should HB 1680 become law, licensed pet vendor breeders would be newly categorized as “retail pet stores” if they operate a physical facility. These breeders would be limited to transferring no more than the number transferred in 2023 and unable to sell their kennel facility and business to anyone but family. Licensed pet vendor shops would also be restricted this way, with future shops required to only source dogs and cats from animal shelters.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: New Hampshire residents are strongly encouraged to electronically register your opposition by emailing members of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee. Consider including the following talking points:
- This push to eliminate purposeful responsible NH dog breeding falsely claims HB 1680 will stop out-of-state large-scale breeders.
- Preventing the public’s access to local pet vendors results in sight unseen online pet sales and scams.
- The choice of a dog permits the prospective dog owner to select the desired breed/type, size, appearance, disposition, and instincts with assurance that a puppy purchased will possess those defined characteristics.
- Consumers deserve the freedom to decide where to obtain the best pet for their family.
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR OPPOSITION:
- Email committee members using “Oppose HB 1680” in your email subject line.
- In your email, identify what city/town you’re emailing from.
- Send your email to all members of the committee by copying the addresses below.
State Representative Judy Aron, Chair – Judy.Aron@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Jim Creighton, Vice Chair – creighton4nh@gmail.com
State Representative Barbara Comtois, Clerk – Barbara.Comtois@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Kevin Verville – kevin.verville@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Arnold Davis – arnidavis@gmail.com
State Representative Jacob Brouillard – Jacob.Brouillard@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Matthew Coulon – Matthew.Coulon@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Catherine Kenny – Cathy.Kenny@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Kelley Potenza – Kelley.Potenza@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Lisa Smart – Lisa.Smart@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Peter Bixby – Peter.Bixby@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Catherine Sofikitis – catherine4Ward7@gmail.com
State Representative Sherry Dutzy – Sherry.Dutzy@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Megan Murray – Megan.Murray@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Nicholas Germana – Nicholas.Germana@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Linda Haskins – Linda.Haskins@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Molly Howard – Molly.Howard@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Allison Knab – Allison.Knab@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Corine Morse – corinne.morse@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Paige Beauchemin – paige.beauchemin@leg.state.nh.us
- You may register your opposition on the New Hampshire General Court’s website available After providing your personal information, select the January 16 hearing date. Using the drop-down menus, select the House Environment and Agriculture Committee and 2PM HB 1680 in order to register your opposition to the bill.
- You may speak in person at the January 16, 2024, House Committee hearing in Room 301-303 of the Legislative Office Building, 33 North State Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301. Sign in to testify when you arrive. The hearing on HB 1680 starts at 2 PM.
For more information on these or other legislative issues in New Hampshire, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org; or the Dog Owners of the Granite State at dogs.nh@gmail.com.