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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	January 4, 2019 11:14 AM
From:	Representative Greg Rothman
To:	All House members
Subject:	Home-Based Pet Care Exempt from Definition of "Boarding Kennel"

In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to amend the “Dog Law”, Act 225 of 1982, to exempt homes that board five or less dogs for compensation from the definition of a “boarding kennel.” This will preclude such homeowners from getting a boarding kennel license. Pushing kennel laws onto home-based pet care makes it illegal to pet sit the neighbor’s dog for $20 on any given day. These services are alternatives to kennels and not actual kennels. Without common-sense reform, owners have fewer options for pet care. Many pet owners seek home-based care because their pets are elderly, anxious, ill or otherwise cannot be boarded in a kennel. Personalized in-home care eases the mind of pet owners. The American Kennel Club supports home-based pet care and has integrated a pet care platform into the “marketplace” section of its website. Momentum is growing for a solution that protects access to home-based pet care options for pet owners. By clarifying the definition of “kennel” so that kennel laws are not applied to home-based providers caring for a limited number of pets at one time, Pennsylvania can lead the way in sensible regulation that distinguish large full-time kennels from small-scale pet sitters. Please consider co-sponsoring this important legislation.

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