Bay State Legislation Would Ban Puppy, Kitty Sales In Pet Stores

Pending Massachusetts legislation that would ban the selling of dogs and cats at pet stores across the Bay State is receiving praise from those who say the law would help curb indiscriminate breeding for profit, but also criticism from pet store owners who argue that the law's passage would only push purebred puppy amd kitty mills online, where they are harder, if not impossible, to regulate.

Senate Majority Leader Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) praised the Pet Equity, Treatment and Safety (PETS) Act, saying that its passage in the State Senate this week is another statement that "pets are family, and the PETS Act makes it clear they should be treated that way."

"We are doubling down on treating animals with humanity and care," she said on social media, "expanding access to pet ownership and taking another important step toward ending discrimination against breeds like pit bulls."

Pet store windows were once a popular way to purchase a new little furry friend in the Bay State, where purebred dogs could be bought in malls, strip malls, and other storefronts with a simple swipe of a credit card.

But critics have long argued that those stores promote impulse buys of animals from those who do not consider the long-term expense and responsibility of owning a dog, cat, or rabbit, as well as sellers who engage in dealing with "puppy mills" amd "kitty mills" that churn out inbred — and, in many cases, unhealthy — animals.

Other animal advocacy groups discourage pet purchases altogether, given the increasing number of homeless pets across the country living in overcrowded shelters and on the streets as strays, with adoption being their preferred option for those seeking a four-legged friend.

But the Pet Advocacy Network said its remaining member store owners in the state prefer a Massachusetts House bill that would establish stricter sourcing standards, inspection requirements, and consumer protections for pet sales for those who do want to buy a specific breed of dog or cat.

PAN said that approach — compared to a full ban — is "a far more effective solution to stopping irresponsible breeders and protecting customers than (the Senate bill)."

"We share the goal of ensuring every pet sold in Massachusetts comes from a humane, responsible source," said Alisa Clements, Director of Government Affairs at the Pet Advocacy Network. "But a blanket ban doesn't accomplish that. It punishes law-abiding businesses, eliminates consumer protections, and shifts demand to shady online sellers and out-of-state dealers that Massachusetts law cannot effectively oversee."

While the vast majority of pet stores across the state no longer sell dogs and cats — often working with shelter agencies to adopt out rescue pets through an application process — Pet Express is one store that still sells puppies and kitties with locations in Braintree and Saugus.

"I've built this business around doing things right," said John Mellace, who owns those two locations. "We follow every rule, work with responsible, licensed breeders, and stand behind every pet that leaves our store.

"This is a direct attack on me and my family. We've spent our entire lives putting every puppy first — this is feel-good legislation that leaves the door wide open for the bad actors it's supposed to stop."

Clements said the Senate bill would only push those seeking breed-specific dogs and cats into the online marketplace, where there are little to no safeguards at all.

"Lawmakers are weighing two distinct paths — one that emphasizes oversight and one that relies on prohibition," she said. "(The House bill) raises standards, strengthens consumer protection and holds sellers accountable without dismantling the most regulated option for Massachusetts families."

The Senate bill now heads to the House, where it can be voted on or reconciled with other legislation.