PRINTER'S NO. 186

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

44

Session of

2019

INTRODUCED BY KILLION, DINNIMAN, ALLOWAY, ARGALL, BARTOLOTTA,

BOSCOLA, BREWSTER, COLLETT, COSTA, FARNESE, FONTANA, KEARNEY,

LANGERHOLC, LAUGHLIN, LEACH, MUTH, PHILLIPS-HILL, SABATINA,

animals.

This act may referred to as Victoria's Law.

The General Assembly finds that:

sold at pet stores come from large-scale, commercial breeding

facilities, puppy mills, kitten mills and rabbit mills, where

the health and welfare of the animals are not adequately

addressed.

States, it is estimated that 10,000 puppy mills produce more

nutritious food and water, shelter, lack of socialization,

lack of adequate space and lack of adequate exercise.

and rabbit mills lead to health and behavioral issues in the

animals bred in those facilities, and many consumers are

unaware of these conditions and issues when they purchase

animals from pet stores, due to both a lack of education on

the subject matter and misleading tactics of some pet stores.

present themselves until some time after the purchase of the

to only those that are sourced from animal shelters or rescue

organizations will likely reduce the demand for puppies and

kittens bred in puppy mills and kitten mills and will likely

increase demand for animals from animal shelters or rescue

organizations.

of dogs, cats and rabbits are euthanized annually in animal

shelters across this Commonwealth.

rabbits to only those that are sourced from animal shelters

local animal shelters and rescue organizations to offer space

and support for showcasing adoptable homeless pets on their

premises utilizing a business model focused on the sale of

pet services and supplies rather than the sale of

commercially bred dogs, cats or rabbits.

not impact a consumer's ability to obtain a dog, cat or

rabbit of the consumer's choice directly from a breed-

specific rescue organization or animal shelter or from a

breeder where the consumer can see directly the conditions in

inhumane breeding conditions, promote community awareness of

animal welfare and foster a more humane environment in this

Commonwealth.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 55 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania

Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subchapter to read:

TRANSFER AND SALE OF ANIMALS

Sec.

The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Animal care facility." An animal control center or animal

shelter, maintained by or under contract with a State, county or

municipality, the mission or practice of which is to protect the

welfare of animals and the placement of animals in permanent

homes or animal rescue organizations.

"Animal control officer." As defined in section 102 of the

Dog Law.

premises of a breeder or broker.

in exchange for payment or compensation or resells dogs

obtained from a breeder or broker and provides payment or

compensation to the breeder or broker.

"Breeder." A person that maintains dogs, cats or rabbits for

the purpose of breeding and selling their offspring.

"Broker." A person that transfers dogs, cats or rabbits for

known as the Dog Law.

"Humane society police officer." As defined in section 102

of the Dog Law.

"Offer for sale." To sell, offer for sale or adoption,

barter, auction, give away or otherwise transfer a dog, cat or

rabbit.

"Pet shop-kennel." A kennel or person that acquires and

sells dogs, cats or rabbits for the purpose of resale, whether

as owner, agent or consignee, and sells or offers to sell the

dogs, cats or rabbits on a retail basis.

individual's name and address as registered with the licensing

agency and each applicable Federal, State or local license

number in the text of an advertisement offer for the sale of a

dog through a newspaper, posting, the mail, an Internet website

or another form of media.

(b) Penalty.--An individual who violates subsection (a)

shall be subject to a civil penalty of $100 for each

advertisement offer.

§ 5573. Sales by pet shop-kennels.

(a) Offense defined.--No pet shop-kennel may offer for sale

(b) Recordkeeping and posting.--

to document the source of each dog, cat or rabbit the pet

shop-kennel acquires, for at least two years following the

date of acquisition.

location on the cage or enclosure of each animal, a

notification listing the name of the animal care facility or

animal rescue organization from which a dog, cat or rabbit

was obtained.

(c) Penalties.--Notwithstanding sections 901 and 903 of the

Dog Law, a pet shop-kennel operator that violates this section

shall be subject to a civil penalty of $500. Each animal offered

for sale in violation of this section shall constitute a

separate violation.

(d) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be

construed to prevent a political subdivision from adopting and

enforcing ordinances or regulations consistent with this

section.