Philadelphia Code §9-625, passed 2018, bars pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits. Stores may only offer animals from shelters or qualifying rescues. Pennsylvania Dog Law Act 225 separately licenses kennels and breeders statewide.
Philadelphia Code §9-625 makes it unlawful for any pet shop in the city to sell or offer for sale a dog, cat, or rabbit unless the animal was sourced from an animal-care shelter, animal-control agency, or a qualifying nonprofit rescue. Stores must post the source of every animal and keep records open to inspection by Philadelphia Animal Control and L&I. The ordinance closed a loophole that let commercial mills move puppies through retail. At the state level, Pennsylvania Dog Law Act 225 of 1982 licenses kennels and commercial breeders through the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, regulating size, sanitation, and recordkeeping. Online sales and breeder direct sales remain legal but must comply with state Dog Law.
Violating §9-625 carries fines starting at $500 per animal per day, with license revocation by L&I after repeat violations. Operating an unlicensed kennel under PA Dog Law is a summary offense with fines up to $300 plus possible closure.
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See how Philadelphia's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
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