Pet Advocacy Network: Delaware Lawmakers Should Reject Proposed Pet Sale Ban 

House Bill 131 Would Hurt Pets, Small Businesses, and Families

Alexandria, Va. – On Wednesday, the Delaware Representatives voted to advance HB 131, a proposed pet sale ban, for a full House vote. HB 131 would prohibit Delaware pet stores from selling dogs and cats from professional breeders, no matter how reputable. That includes top-quality, professional breeders with show champions and advanced health certifications. 

The Pet Advocacy Network (PAN), the policy voice of the responsible pet care community, provided expert testimony against the measure. 

“This bill will force future pet owners away from safe, regulated local businesses and into the arms of Internet scammers and unregulated sources,” said Alisa Clements, deputy director of outreach and advocacy. “If this bill is passed, several small family-owned pet businesses in Delaware will be forced to close and employees will lose their jobs. It’s a lose-lose-lose for people, animals, and local businesses.”

PAN asks lawmakers to vote “no” on HB 131 to protect puppies, support responsible pet sourcing, and keep Delaware families safe from scams and black-market sellers. Consider:

• Puppy Scams: After California passed a similar law in 2019, the Better Business Bureau reported a staggering 350 percent increase in puppy scams. Families were swindled out of thousands of dollars while searching for the right puppy. The Los Angeles Times reported, “a network of resellers — including ex-cons and schemers — replaced pet stores as middlemen.”
• Hurts Small Business Owners: Pet sale bans have devastating economic impacts on small, local pet stores that cannot compete with the low prices of pet products offered by large chain retailers. Many of these small, family-run businesses are proud to invest heavily in animal welfare protocols and regulatory compliance. 
• Bad for Animal Welfare: If Delaware truly wants to protect companion animals, the answer isn’t to ban transparent, regulated, brick-and-mortar businesses that serve Delaware families every day in their search for their next pet. Rather, the solution is to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed breeding and illegal trade that cause shelter overpopulation and perpetuate animal cruelty.

About the Pet Advocacy Network

The Pet Advocacy Network connects the experience and expertise of the responsible pet care community to lawmakers and governing bodies, advocating for legislative and regulatory priorities at the local, state, federal and international levels. Since 1971, the organization has worked to promote animal well-being and responsible pet ownership, foster environmental stewardship, and ensure access to healthy pets, including small animals, cats, dogs, fish, reptiles, and birds. Pet Advocacy Network members include retailers, companion animal suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, manufacturers’ representatives, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations. To learn more, visit www.PetAdvocacy.org.