H 967
An Act banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops
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Bill overview
This bill prohibits the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in newly established pet shops within Massachusetts. The legislation aims to regulate the sale of these animals and address concerns related to animal welfare and the source of pets sold in these stores. It focuses specifically on new pet shops, leaving existing establishments unaffected. The bill was referred to the Environment and Natural Resources committee and subsequently reported favorably.
Key provisions
- Prohibits the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops.
- Applies to Massachusetts.
- Specifically targets new pet shops, not existing ones.
- The bill was referred to the Environment and Natural Resources committee.
- The bill was reported favorably by the committee.
- The bill was accompanied by H893 and H943.
- The bill was scheduled for a hearing on October 21, 2025.
Who is affected
- Pet shops
- Pet retailers
- Animal welfare advocates
- Consumers purchasing pets
Notable changes
- This bill introduces a new restriction on the retail sale of specific animals.
- It does not affect existing pet shops or the sale of animals from other sources.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Natalie M. Higgins
Cosponsors
Adam J. Scanlon
Adrian C. Madaro
Adrianne Pusateri Ramos
Amy Mah Sangiolo
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Bill H.967 194th (Current)
An Act banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops
By Representatives Higgins of Leominster and Ferguson of Holden, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 967) of Natalie M. Higgins, Kimberly N. Ferguson and others for legislation to further regulate to sale of certain domestic animals. Environment and Natural Resources.
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenters: Natalie M. Higgins , Kimberly N. Ferguson
Tabs
Bill History Petitioners Committee Vote Hearing Attendance
Bill History
Displaying 7 actions for Bill H.967
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 10/10/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 10/21/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1 |
| 1/20/2026 | House | Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| 3/12/2026 | House | Accompanied by H893 and H943 |
| 3/12/2026 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling |
| 4/13/2026 | House | Placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting (under the last sentence of Rule 7A) for a second reading |
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