Mass. Senate passes major animal welfare bill

Unanimous vote targets puppy mills, expands protections and promotes pet-friendly housing

Photo submitted by the office of Karen Spilka

The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously passed sweeping animal welfare legislation that would ban the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores, strengthen anti-cruelty protections and expand access to pet ownership across the state.

The bill — known as the PETS Act — aims to cut off what lawmakers describe as the “puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline” by prohibiting retail sales of dogs and cats while still allowing pet shops to partner with shelters and nonprofits for adoptions.

The legislation passed on a 38-0 roll call vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“Pets are family, and this bill makes it clear they should be treated that way,” Senate President Karen E. Spilka said in a statement. “We are doubling down on treating animals with humanity and care, expanding access to pet ownership, and taking another important step toward ending discrimination against breeds like pit bulls.”

Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, also pointed to the breadth of the bill’s impact.

“Yesterday’s unanimous, bipartisan vote to pass the PETS Act is a testament to the Senate’s commitment to protecting animals here in the Commonwealth,” Moore said in a statement.

“Ending the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, banning unnecessary animal testing,

bolstering anti-cruelty penalties, and establishing protections for pet owners in public housing are all important steps toward improving life both for Bay Staters and our furry friends.”

Moore added that while the legislation includes major reforms, he plans to continue pushing additional animal welfare measures, including proposals related to post-abuse pet ownership restrictions and considering animal wellbeing in divorce proceedings.

In addition to ending commercial pet sales, the bill includes a range of provisions aimed at improving animal welfare and keeping pets in homes.

Lawmakers said the measure would prohibit certain types of non-medical animal testing, expand existing anti-cruelty laws to cover all household pets, and give local authorities more tools to address neglect.

The legislation also takes aim at breed-based restrictions that can limit where people live or whether they can obtain insurance.

Under the proposal, public housing agencies would be required to allow pets without discriminating based on breed or size, and insurance companies would be barred from using breed as a factor in coverage decisions.

“Having had my pit bull Teja in my life shaped how I understand the role pets play in our families and communities,” Sen. Pavel M. Payano said in a statement. “In Massachusetts, no one should face higher insurance costs because of a dog’s breed, be forced to choose between housing and their pet, or be burdened by unclear and rising pet fees.”

Supporters say the bill reflects years of advocacy from animal welfare organizations and growing concern about the treatment of animals in commercial breeding operations.

“It breaks my heart to see cruel and inhumane puppy mills abusing dogs to mass-produce puppies to ship across the country when there are so many wonderful and lonely pets waiting to be adopted,” Sen. Jason M. Lewis said in a statement.

Advocates say the changes could have a ripple effect beyond animal welfare, helping reduce the number of pets entering shelters and making it easier for families to keep animals in their homes.

“We are grateful to the senate for passing this landmark bill that protects animals, families, and consumers across the Commonwealth,” Kara Holmquist of MSPCA-Angell said in a statement. “The PETS Act will help keep more pets in their homes while reducing the number of animals entering shelters … and stop the puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline.”

If approved by the House and signed into law, Massachusetts would join a growing number of states that have moved to ban retail sales of dogs and cats in an effort to curb large-scale commercial breeding operations.