7 Statewide ban on retail sales2 Restrictions short of a ban1 Local bans only41 No restriction
| State | Status | What the law says |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No restriction | Alabama has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Alaska | No restriction | Alaska has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Arizona | No restriction | Arizona has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Arkansas | No restriction | Arkansas has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| California | Statewide ban on retail sales | Yes. Since 2019 California pet stores may only offer dogs, cats and rabbits that come from shelters or rescue groups. |
| Colorado | Statewide ban on retail sales | Yes, from January 1, 2028. Colorado’s 2026 law (HB 26-1011, the “Pistol the Pomeranian Act”) bans pet shops from selling dogs and cats and stops brokers reselling animals from breeders. Existing puppy stores must phase out sales by then. |
| Connecticut | No restriction | Connecticut has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Delaware | Statewide ban on retail sales | Yes. Delaware’s 2026 law (HB 131) bans pet stores from selling dogs and cats, with limited exceptions for two existing shops that meet disclosure rules. Stores may display shelter animals for adoption. |
| District of Columbia | No restriction | The District of Columbia has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Florida | No restriction | Florida has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Georgia | No restriction | Georgia has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Hawaii | No restriction | Hawaii has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Idaho | No restriction | Idaho has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Illinois | Statewide ban on retail sales | Yes. Since February 2022 Illinois pet shops may only offer dogs and cats from animal control facilities or shelters. |
| Indiana | No restriction | Indiana has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Iowa | No restriction | Iowa has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Kansas | No restriction | Kansas has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Kentucky | No restriction | Kentucky has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Louisiana | No restriction | Louisiana has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Maine | Restrictions short of a ban | Partly. Maine bans new pet shops from selling dogs and cats; shops already selling them in 2020 may continue as long as ownership doesn’t change and they don’t increase the number of animals offered. |
| Maryland | Statewide ban on retail sales | Yes. Since 2020 Maryland pet stores may not sell dogs or cats; they can host animals from shelters and rescues for adoption. |
| Massachusetts | No restriction | Massachusetts has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Michigan | No restriction | Michigan has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Minnesota | No restriction | Minnesota has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Mississippi | No restriction | Mississippi has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Missouri | No restriction | Missouri has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Montana | No restriction | Montana has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Nebraska | No restriction | Nebraska has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Nevada | Local bans only | No statewide ban — a 2025 bill to ban sales statewide was turned into an interim study — but Clark County and the City of Las Vegas have passed their own bans. |
| New Hampshire | No restriction | New Hampshire has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| New Jersey | No restriction | New Jersey has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| New Mexico | No restriction | New Mexico has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| New York | Statewide ban on retail sales | Yes. Since December 2024 New York pet stores may not sell dogs, cats or rabbits; they may partner with shelters to showcase animals for adoption. |
| North Carolina | No restriction | North Carolina has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| North Dakota | No restriction | North Dakota has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Ohio | No restriction | Ohio has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Oklahoma | No restriction | Oklahoma has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Oregon | Statewide ban on retail sales | Yes. Oregon bans retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats. Stores that already sold them in 2023 may continue until September 1, 2028, when the exemption ends. |
| Pennsylvania | No restriction | Pennsylvania has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Rhode Island | No restriction | Rhode Island has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| South Carolina | No restriction | South Carolina has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| South Dakota | No restriction | South Dakota has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Tennessee | No restriction | Tennessee has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Texas | No restriction | Texas has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Utah | No restriction | Utah has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Vermont | No restriction | Vermont has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Virginia | No restriction | Virginia has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Washington | Restrictions short of a ban | Partly. Since 2021 Washington pet stores may not start selling dogs or cats; stores that already sold dogs may continue under sourcing and disclosure rules, and lose the right after repeated violations. |
| West Virginia | No restriction | West Virginia has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Wisconsin | No restriction | Wisconsin has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |
| Wyoming | No restriction | Wyoming has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from. |