Oppose: Retail Pet Sale Ban Preemption Bill (Missouri)
H.B. 2265/S.B. 937
This bill would prevent cities and counties in Missouri from enacting retail pet sale bans.
Status
The Animal Legal Defense Fund opposes this bill.
Sponsors: State Rep. Ben Baker (R-160); State Sen. Justin Brown (R-16)
Introduction Date: January 4, 2024
This bill, H.B. 2265/S.B. 937, would prohibit municipalities in Missouri from enacting retail pet sale bans — laws that protect animals from the cruelty of commercial breeding mills.
Dogs in puppy mills suffer immensely — they often live in barren, filthy conditions with no access to veterinary care, regular exercise, or socialization. Infection and life-long health problems are common among puppies raised in these conditions. Unfortunately, many pet stores across the country source the dogs they sell from these mills, prioritizing profit over the welfare of the animals.
To combat this, hundreds of localities across the United States have enacted retail pet sale bans, prohibiting pet stores from selling dogs and cats sourced from commercial breeders. In response, pet store lobbyists are pressuring lawmakers to pass harmful preemption laws, blocking cities’ and counties’ right to pass retail pet sale bans. Pet store lobbyists claim these laws are necessary to ensure there are uniform laws across a state. In reality, puppy mill preemption laws simply rob cities and counties of the ability to pass laws their residents want.
Why is this law important? Missouri is a hot spot for puppy mills and is home to some of the worst offenders in the country. Pet stores make ideal partners for these mills because they allow the cruelty at the mills to remain hidden from consumers. Pet stores that sell dogs routinely defraud consumers by misrepresenting the health and origin of their puppies. These stores advertise their puppies as coming from “reputable” or “family” breeders when they are actually from puppy mills. Retail pet sale bans are a powerful way for communities to fight puppy mills because they limit the supply and demand of mill-bred animals, reduce financial incentives for mill operators, and encourage the adoption of rescued animals in need of homes. The right of local governments and residents to protect themselves and animals from these bad actors must be preserved.
Coalition Support: The Humane Society of the United States; Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation
For more information about animal protection legislation in Missouri and opportunities to take action for animals, visit aldf.org/missouri.
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