Policy Priority

Pet Health & Availability

People seeking to enjoy animal companionship deserve to have a variety of legitimate and transparent sources where they can acquire the healthy pet that is the best fit for their lifestyle.

We work to ensure that Americans have the ability to bring home healthy, well-treated pets and the products and services they need to care for them. We oppose government actions that put up unnecessary roadblocks to pet ownership, and support those that implement common-sense, science-based safeguards to protect human and animal health and well-being.

what we work on

Pet Sale Bans

Pet sale bans, while well-intended, are misdirected and only serve to harm legitimate businesses –they do nothing to stop the bad actors who mistreat animals. Bans harm the transparent, highly-regulated and frequently inspected responsible pet stores that in many cases offer legal protections such as warranties. Without pet stores, families seeking a particular breed are forced to seek alternative sources and may turn to the underground, unregulated market for pets where they could fall victim to fraud or be sold an unhealthy animal.

Disease Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeing an increase in instances of potentially transmissible diseases – including the canine variant of rabies, which was thought to be eradicated in the United States – that can be traced back to imported animals. We support the Healthy Dog Importation Act that would implement common-sense regulations to ensure that dogs imported into the United States are carefully screened to protect pet and human health.

Trade Challenges

Millions of Americans brought home new pets during pandemic-forced isolation and social distancing, but they are now experiencing increased cost of caring for those pets. Supply chain disruptions are impacting virtually every aspect of the pet trade from product manufacturers to retailers to companion animal service providers. We are advocating for the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 that would put in place common sense reforms to long-standing issues in the maritime shipping industry, and help ensure the continued availability and price stability of the products needed by America’s nearly 85 million pet owners and those who provide essential services to them.