HB4643 Summary

• Animal shelters cannot accept dogs or cats from other shelters or out-of-state facilities unless documentation proves the animals were not obtained through payment to dog or cat breeders.

• Pet shop operators may only sell dogs and cats obtained from verified breeders, animal control facilities, or animal shelters that comply with sourcing standards; operators must maintain records verifying compliance for 2 years.

• Pet shop operators must obtain signed affidavits or Department-provided documents from breeders, along with inspection reports from the past 2 years or independent third-party audit results certifying compliance with Department standards.

• A $25 administrative fee applies to every dog or cat sold by pet shop operators beginning 120 days after the law's effective date, with fees deposited into the new Sourcing and Inspection Compliance Fund.

• The Department of Agriculture may mandate independent third-party audits of dog and cat breeders at any time to ensure compliance, and failure to pass a Department-ordered audit constitutes a violation of the Act.