SB183 Summary

• Restricts pet stores to selling dogs only from animal rescues, animal shelters, dog wholesalers, or qualified breeders, with specific requirements for high-volume breeders.

• Prohibits pet stores from selling dogs under 8 weeks old, without veterinary inspection certificates, without permanent identification microchips, or to persons under 18 years old.

• Requires pet stores to provide written certifications to dog buyers containing breeder information, USDA license numbers, veterinary health documents, and dog identification details, with stores maintaining copies for two years.

• Mandates pet store licensing through the Department of Agriculture and Industries with a $500 application fee, allows license denial or suspension for violations, and establishes civil penalties of $500 for first violations, $2,500 for second violations, and $10,000 for third or subsequent violations.

• Reserves all pet store regulation to the state, making local ordinances adopted before March 1, 2019 grandfathered but preempting all future local pet store regulations.