AVMA State Legislative Update February 2018

An emerging trend is focused on the origin of animals offered to the public by pet stores. Lawmakers in four states (Maryland, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island) have introduced legislation that would prohibit pet stores from offering animals that do not come from an animal shelter, humane society, or other type of rescue organization. Going a step further, the Oregon bill would require a pet store to maintain records on where each animal was obtained for no less than one year, and to publicly post this information on the animal’s enclosure. Regarding crimes of animal abuse and cruelty, three states (Illinois, Maryland, and Mississippi) have seen bills introduced on animal-abuse registries aiming to strengthen criminal penalties for these kinds of offenses. And lawmakers in four states (Hawaii, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia) have introduced bills that would prohibit animals from being tethered or chained outside in different types of inclement weather.