COLORADO (KOAA) — On Wednesday, Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 26-1011 (HB26-1011), Transfers of Certain Pet Animals, prohibiting pet stores in Colorado from selling, leasing, or offering to transfer ownership of a dog or a cat.
Governor Police says this bill aims to target harmful breeding practices by puppy mills and protect the health of consumers and pets.
“Colorado’s furry four-legged friends deserve loving homes. We are stopping the harmful overbreeding of dogs and cats in terrible conditions in the puppy mill industry, and encourage Coloradans to adopt, not shop or purchase from a legitimate breeder. I am grateful to the sponsors of this bill for standing up for these animals, helping them find a forever home in our Colorado for all."
The new law, which will go into effect on January 1, 2027, will require pet stores to stop selling dogs or cats.
Te following exceptions are below:
- law enforcement animals can still be sold to a governmental agency
- adoption of a dog bred or trained for hunting can still be purchased/adopted by those with a valid hunting license
- guide, signal, or service dogs can still be purchased
- an animal shelter or a pet animal rescue may still sell animals
- health-related research facilities can purchase/adopt an animal
The law says original breeders can still sell dogs and cats, but a bona fide owner, that isn't the original breeder, can only sell a dog or cat to a new owner as long as they don't do it more than three times per calendar year.
While pet stores will be prevented from selling these pets, HB26-1011 says stores can have displays by a licensed animal shelter or pet rescue as long as the store doesn't receive a fee related to the display.
Dogs and cats that are displayed must be sterilized per state and local regulations.
The bill says that commercial breeding facilities, or puppy mills, are harmful to both animals and consumers, and current federal regulations aren't enough to prevent animal cruelty to animals in these facilities.
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