Report - 2021 03 25 A28816 D233684 Bill Report 1424 S Sbr Bfst Ta 21

Summary

A Senate Bill Report on SHB 1424, an act relating to consumer protection with respect to the sale of dogs and cats, prepared for the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services & Trade as of March 23, 2021. It records that the bill passed the House on 3/7/21 by 68-30 and was sponsored by the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business. The background describes state laws on animals and the federal Animal Welfare Act. The report summarizes the bill as barring retail pet stores from selling cats and from selling dogs unless the store sold or offered dogs before the act's effective date. It closes with a staff summary of public testimony for, against and other, with Representative Amy Walen, Prime Sponsor, among those testifying in support.

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                              SENATE BILL REPORT
                                   SHB 1424

                                        As of March 23, 2021

Title: An act relating to consumer protection with respect to the sale of dogs and cats.

Brief Description: Concerning consumer protection with respect to the sale of dogs and cats.

Sponsors: House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business (originally sponsored by
    Representatives Walen, Ybarra, Springer, Simmons, Ramel and Berg).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/7/21, 68-30.
     Committee Activity: Business, Financial Services & Trade: 3/23/21.


                                       Brief Summary of Bill
           • Prohibits a retail pet store from selling a cat.
           • Prohibits a retail pet store from selling or offering to sell a dog unless the
             pet store sold or offered for sale any dog prior to the effective date of the
             act.


SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, FINANCIAL SERVICES & TRADE

     Staff: Kellee Gunn (786-7429)

     Background: There are many local, state, and federal laws governing buying, selling, and
     keeping animals. Recently enacted state laws include those that limit leasing a dog or cat,
     revise or establish certain penalties for animal cruelty, clarify what animal cruelty includes,
     and limit dog breeding practices.

     At the federal level, several laws further govern the rights of animals. Most relevant to
     buying and selling animals is the Animal Welfare Act (act) which was enacted in 1966, and
     most recently amended in 2013. The act protects animals kept in zoos, laboratories, and
     those commercially bred and sold. The United States Department of Agriculture enforces




     This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
     members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
     constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Senate Bill Report                                -1-                                         SHB 1424
     the act and regulates household pets.

     On the local level, some counties and cities impose regulations on the sale of animals
     intended as pets, such as imposing licensing requirements on retail pet stores and
     prohibiting the sale of animals in public places.

     Summary of Bill: A retail pet store may not sell or offer to sell any cat. A retail pet store
     may not sell or offer to sell a dog unless the retail pet store sold or offered to sell any dog
     prior to the effective date of this legislation.

     Appropriation: None.

     Fiscal Note: Not requested.

     Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

     Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

     Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a consumer protection bill and came
     out of negotiations with stakeholders over the interim. Consumers in Washington demand
     transparency in these transactions. Under our current laws, unlawful dog breeders may still
     sell dogs to consumers. Through our work at the local animal shelter we saw what a
     humane pet sale looks like. We want pet sales to be mindful of animal and consumer well-
     being. This bill is a crucial step to ensure humane pet sales. Our city recently passed an
     ordinance banning pet sales. When families deal with the death of a puppy, it can be
     devastating. The state has a problem with unwanted puppies and kittens from mills.

     We do not want to create more barriers for those who need to get dogs for emotional
     support animals. There could have been more work done on this bill. There needs to be
     more regulation on this industry. I bought a puppy from a Puppyland pet store in another
     state and was provided certification of its pure breed. The puppy was not pure bred and had
     issues. The breeder which the puppy was sourced from was on a puppy mill list. Please
     prevent this from happening again.

     CON: My store has been around since 1978 and I have eight full and part-time employees.
     I sell puppies and kittens along with other pet store supplies. We purchase from local
     private breeders. Though this bill exempts current businesses, it is one step closer to
     banning stores like mine. Clark County does annual inspections on pet stores and I have
     never had a single violation based on that county code.

     We should stop puppy mills. By enforcing a ban on retail pet stores however, Internet sales
     will go up. These sales are much more difficult to enforce than the sales happening at a
     physical store. We need transparency. Where are rescue animals coming from? A good
     regulation also needs to also look at adoptions. We need to make sure everyone is on the


Senate Bill Report                              -2-                                       SHB 1424
     same page. Please include all stakeholders in the future bill discussions.

     OTHER: We own two pet retail stores in Washington and are very involved with our
     breeders. When visiting breeders, we look for things like veterinary and exercise
     programs. There is a process in place to ensure the breeders provide and deliver healthy
     puppies. The goal of this bill is not to regulate, but to shut down retail pet stores. This bill
     means lost jobs and revenue. We are small business and we care about our dogs and
     customers. We must use out of state breeders as Washington State has a limited number of
     licensed breeders, and the state enforces few requirements on breeders.

     I oppose this bill as currently written. I own a kennel in Iowa. We are USDA and state
     licensed and are subject to strict rules and guidelines including unannounced inspections.

     Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Amy Walen, Prime Sponsor; Ava Finn, Seattle
     Humane Volunteer; Novia Liu, Seattle Humane Volunteer; Lisa Parshley, City of Olympia
     Councilmember; Darci Duker; Paula Sardinas, Puppyland/Puppyworld, FMSGS; Carollynn
     Zimmers, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; Brooke Davies, Pasado's Safe Haven; Ashly
     Dale, Bailing Out Benji, Director of Operations; Dan Paul, Washington State Director, The
     Humane Society of the United States.

     CON: Larry Zimmer, Alley Cat Pet Center; Debbie Goodrich, Parrot Ambassadors.

     OTHER: Kayla Kerr; Justin Kerr, Puppyland; Terisa Steiber, Rockytopp Kennels.

     Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.




Senate Bill Report                              -3-                                        SHB 1424


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