S 550 Massachusetts Senate · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops

This bill prohibits licensed pet shops in Massachusetts from selling or offering dogs, cats, and rabbits for sale. It allows these businesses to display animals on behalf of rescue or shelter organizations, provided the shop does not own the animals. Local governments retain the authority to impose additional restrictions or bans on the sale of these pets. The law will take effect 90 days after it is passed.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
House Passage
Jun 2024
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Jun 13, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
1
Jun 6, 2024
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Apr 8, 2024
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources
upper
1 primary · 11 co-sponsors

Sponsors