Statement in Support of MA Family-Owned Pet Shops

The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee has sent a bill, H. 5581, to the floor that addresses policies pertaining to pets. Notably, the committee excluded a controversial provision to ban pet stores from selling dogs and cats, which would cause local family-owned pet stores to close. 

Alisa Clements, director of government affairs for the Pet Advocacy Network, applauded the Committee for protecting pet stores and issued the following statement:

Family-owned pet shops are licensed, regulated and inspected. They offer consumers a choice of breed-specific puppies. At family-owned pet shops, customers know where the puppy was bred, its medical history and that the puppy has been properly vaccinated and had proper veterinary care. Family-owned pet shops offer warranties and protections for consumers and give them consumer choice of purpose-bred animals they seek for their families sourced from USDA licensed breeders. 

Banning pet stores from selling dogs does nothing to stop puppy mills. These bans cause families to turn to less-regulated sources, such as online sellers and tiktok where they’ll have fewer choices. Many families will look for a dog on the internet, where protections for people and animals are fewer, or nonexistent. Craigslist, TikTok and other online marketplaces have listings for dogs that are not subject to the same federal oversight as retail outlets.. 

Ed Sayres, the former CEO of the ASPCA, wrote in a recent editorial: “As a lifelong animal advocate who has run animal shelters as well as the national ASPCA, I once advocated for this policy. But I believe now it is a mistake.  The goal of this legislation is to target puppy mills — irresponsible dog breeders who don’t provide for animal welfare. But banning pet sales at pet stores doesn’t actually accomplish that goal.”

Pet Advocacy Network supports choice in where to get a pet. Family-owned pet shops, rescues and hobby breeders provide consumers with more options and they should be able to co-exist with shelters and rescues.