Authorizing Municipalities to Prohibit the Sale of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits in Pet Shops (Connecticut) 

The Animal Legal Defense Fund Supports this bill.

Sponsor: Planning and Development Committee
Cosponsors: Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan (D-2), Rep. Jason Doucette (D-13), Rep. Eilish Collins Main (D-146), Rep. Kerry S. Wood (D-29), Rep. Tom Delnicki (R-14), Rep. Michael “MJ” Shannon (D-117), Rep. Kate Farrar (D-20), Rep. Jonathan Jacobson (D-148)

Introduction Date: January 28, 2025

There is a growing movement at every level of government against the cruel puppy mill industry, in which commercial breeding facilities keep animals in poor conditions while mass-producing them for sale. Often confined to barren, wire cages with little companionship, dogs in puppy mills suffer physically and psychologically. Animals are generally denied access to clean food and water or veterinary care. Mother “breeder” dogs give birth to multiple litters per year and are typically abandoned or killed when no longer deemed useful to puppy mill operators.

Virtually all animals sold at pet shops are bred in mills. Pet shops are the preferred sales outlet for puppy mills because they allow the cruelty at the mills to remain hidden from the consumer. Many families have been saddled with hundreds or thousands of dollars in veterinary bills caring for sick animals purchased from pet shops. Some of these animals ultimately die. 

An Act Authorizing Municipalities to Prohibit the Sale of Dogs, Cats and Rabbits in Pet Shops, H.B.6832, authorizes municipalities to adopt local laws to prohibit the sale of these animals in pet shops.

Eight states and more than 450 communities nationwide have already enacted retail pet sale bans. Stamford, Norwalk, and Manchester recently passed resolutions in support of fighting puppy mills by promoting business best practices that include products and services and partnering with rescues and local shelters to rehome animals. 

​​Why is this legislation important? ​ 

This bill is needed to clarify that municipalities have the authority to ban the sale of commercially-raised animals in pet stores. In 2019, when the city of a Stamford, CT, was considering adopting a local law, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture intervened, claiming that the state’s authority preempted municipal authority. Towns and cities should be able to place restrictions on pet shops beyond the minimal regulations imposed under state law as the vast majority of states currently allow.

New York has implemented a retail pet sales ban. If Connecticut does not pass this law, there will be no way to stop N.Y. stores from moving their inhumane business practices just across the state line.     

 ​​For more information about animal protection legislation​ in Connecticut ​and opportunities to take action for animals, visit aldf.org/​connecticut.