The Philadelphia City Council Committee on Rules will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 3, on Bill 250989, a proposal that would impose a three-year moratorium on the breeding and sale of puppies in Philadelphia.
You are urged to contact the members of the Rules Committee now and let them know how a three-year moratorium in Philadelphia would impact you and other responsible Philadelphia breeders. See AKC’s previous alert for talking points and sample letters.
Bill No. 250989 would impose a 36-month moratorium on the breeding and sale or transfer of any dog under seven months of age within the City of Philadelphia. While the bill includes limited exemptions, it would significantly restrict responsible, small-scale, American Kennel Club–affiliated breeders while failing to address the real sources of shelter crowding and irresponsible owners and breeders.
Hearing Details:
What: Committee on Rules Public Hearing on Bill 250989
When: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 – 10:00 AM
Where: Room 400, City Hall, Philadelphia
How to Provide Testimony:
To testify in person, contact the Committee on Rules Chair’s Office at 215-686-3424 by 3:00 PM on Monday, February 2 (the business day before the hearing) and provide your name, phone number, and the bill number (Bill 250989).
To submit written testimony: Email your statement in PDF format to whitney.brown@phila.gov.
Be sure to include your name, contact information, and the bill number (Bill 250989), ideally by 3 p.m. on Monday, February 2 (the day before the hearing).
AKC also recommends that you contact each member of the Rules Committee:
Chair – Cindy Bass (Sponsor of Bill 250989)
(215) 686-3424 | cindy.bass@phila.gov
Vice Chair – Mark Squilla
(215) 686-3458 | mark.squilla@phila.gov
Katherine Gilmore Richardson
(215) 686-0454 | katherine.gilmore.richardson@phila.gov
Curtis Jones, Jr.
(215) 686-3416 | curtis.jones@phila.gov
Brian J. O’Neill
(215) 686-3422 | brian.oneill@phila.gov
Isaiah Thomas
(215) 686-3446 | isaiah.thomas@phila.gov
Jamie Gauthier
(215) 686-0459 | jamie.gauthier@phila.gov
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at email doglaw@akc.org.
AKC GR along with the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs, will continue to monitor this and other legislation that impact the rights of dog owners and the dogs they love.