An Act relative to the sale of dogs and cats in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

This bill prohibits pet shops in Massachusetts from selling live dogs, cats, or rabbits unless the animals come from specific shelters, rescue groups, or animal control agencies. To ensure compliance, pet shops must keep records of each animal's source for at least one year and display a sign on the animal's cage identifying where it was obtained. If a shop sells an animal without meeting these requirements, the operator faces a $500 fine for each violation. The law aims to increase transparency and reduce the sale of animals from commercial breeders or puppy mills.