H 2256 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to protect pets

This bill (HD 3105) requires pet shops, breeders, brokers, and rescue organizations to provide health records and official health certificates for cats, dogs, and rabbits sold or placed in Massachusetts. It directly affects sellers (including pet shops and breeders) and consumers buying these animals. Key provisions include: mandating disclosure of animal age, breed, and breeder license numbers via visible signs; prohibiting sales of animals under 8 weeks old; requiring sellers to source animals only from licensed facilities meeting USDA standards; and allowing consumers to return animals within 48 hours if health records are incomplete or inaccurate. The law also defines terms like "breeder" and "unfit for sale" to clarify standards for animal health and transparency.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Nov 17, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mark Cusack
Mark Cusack
DDemocratic
MA
5th Norfolk