Massachusetts banned retail pet shop sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits sourced from commercial breeders effective 2025 under An Act Protecting the Health and Safety of Puppies and Kittens, applied citywide in Boston.
Boston pet shops are governed by both Massachusetts statute and BPHC oversight. The 2024 statute An Act Protecting the Health and Safety of Puppies and Kittens in Cities and Towns (St. 2024, c. 339), effective 2025, prohibits Massachusetts pet shops from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits except those obtained from animal shelters, rescues, or municipal pounds. Existing licensed pet shops were grandfathered for sourcing from USDA-licensed breeders meeting strict no-violation criteria. Boston ISD inspects pet shops for general retail compliance while BPHC and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources oversee animal welfare. Sales must include written health records, vaccination history, and consumer disclosures.
Violations of the state pet-shop sourcing law expose retailers to civil penalties up to $500 per animal and license revocation; BPHC may also order closure for animal welfare violations.
Boston, MA
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See how Boston's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
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