Philadelphia City Council Passes 3-Year Ban On "Backyard" Dog Breeding As Shelter Populations Increase

CBS Philadelphia

February 20, 2026

Philadelphia City Council has passed a "backyard breeding bill" that will ban small breeders from continuing to breed dogs and adopt out puppies younger than 7 months old for the next three years.

Advocates say the bill will help curb an increase in the number of stray and abandoned dogs in the city and help shelters reduce overcrowding. Mayor Cherelle Parker would still have to sign the bill into law.

The bill requires anyone who owns a female dog in city limits to "take reasonable measures" to prevent the birth of a litter of puppies, and not offer up puppies younger than 7 months old for adoption or sale.

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