HB 5112 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT PROHIBITING PET STORES FROM PURCHASING OR PROCURING DOGS, CATS AND RABBITS.

HB 5112 prohibits pet stores from buying or obtaining dogs, cats, or rabbits for sale starting October 1, 2025. This directly affects pet store owners who must stop purchasing these animals, though they may still host licensed animal shelters for adoption events under strict conditions. The law allows pet stores to provide space for 501(c)(3) shelters to showcase animals for adoption without compensation, but bans any sale or transfer of these animals by stores. Violations carry a maximum $500 fine. The bill does not restrict private breeders or pet owners.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action Mar 14, 2025

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What changed between versions

Proposed Bill → Committee Bill · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten from a simple prohibition on pet stores selling dogs, cats, and rabbits into a comprehensive regulatory framework that includes licensing requirements for commercial kennels and pet shops, establishes a list of animals deemed injurious to public health, and maintains the ban on pet shops purchasing animals for resale while allowing adoption showcases for qualified non-profits.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a narrow prohibition on sales by pet stores to a broader regulatory scheme covering commercial kennel licensing, pet shop licensing, and specific restrictions on animal procurement and sales.

REQUIREMENT

Added new licensing requirements for commercial kennels and pet shops, including application fees of four hundred dollars, biennial renewal, and zoning certification.

Added a requirement for licensed commercial kennels to display their license number in advertisements, with specific regulations for size, font, and location.

DEFINITION

Added a new provision requiring the commissioner to establish a list of animals deemed injurious to public health or animal welfare, prohibiting their sale.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the adoption showcase exception to include specific eligibility criteria for non-profit organizations, including 501(c)(3) status and restrictions on affiliations with breeders or commercial sellers.

TIMELINE

Added an effective date of October 1, 2025 for the prohibition on pet shops purchasing dogs, cats, and rabbits for resale.

ENFORCEMENT

Added specific penalties of up to five hundred dollars for violations of the new provisions regarding injurious animals and pet shop procurement restrictions.

SCOPE

Removed the original simple prohibition language and replaced it with detailed regulatory sections covering licensing, advertising, and animal welfare standards.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Change of Reference ENV

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE

lower

Jan 13, 2025

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law

lower

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors