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Lawmakers say the proposal would reduce puppy mill sales while expanding protections for pets and their owners.
Massachusetts lawmakers are mulling new legislation that would protect dogs and cats and make pet ownership more accessible for all residents.
The bill, known as “An Act promoting Pet Equity, Treatment and Safety,” or the PETS Act, includes several measures aimed at improving animal welfare and regulating how pets are sold and housed, according to a WCVB report.
The bill would ban the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops, a step supporters say would help reduce the number of animals sourced from large-scale commercial breeders often referred to as puppy mills. Instead, pet stores would be able to partner with animal shelters and rescue organizations to facilitate adoptions.
Animal welfare advocates say the bill is intended to promote responsible pet ownership while ensuring families are not unfairly restricted from keeping pets.
Kara Holmquist, MSPCA director of advocacy, told WCVB, “We are just really excited that the Senate is taking these bills up. It’s really a great way to make sure that Massachusetts remains a leader in animal protection.”
The legislation would also address housing and insurance barriers that can limit pet ownership. According to WCVB, the proposal would seek to expand access to pets in state-aided public housing and prevent insurance companies from denying coverage based solely on a dog’s breed.
“It really does — in the language — have some guardrails to make sure that it’s done well and works for everybody and is not creating a burden on the housing authority or other tenants,” Holmquist told the outlet.
The PETS Act remains under consideration in the Massachusetts Legislature and would need approval from both chambers before being sent to the governor for signature.
Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.
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