🏪 Pet Store Puppy Sale Bans by State
To cut off demand for puppy mills, some states ban pet stores from selling dogs and cats unless they come from shelters or rescues. Others leave it to cities, many of which have their own bans.
7 Statewide ban on retail sales2 Restrictions short of a ban1 Local bans only41 No restriction
| State | Status | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Cal. Health & Safety Code § 122354.5 (AB 485, 2017) |
| 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. | Colorado HB 26-1011 (2026) |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Delaware HB 131 (2026) |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Public Act 102-0586 (510 ILCS 70/3.8) |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Maine P.L. 2019, ch. 544 (LD 1311) |
| 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. | Md. Code, Bus. Reg. (2018 Act) |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law (Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, 2022) |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | HB 2915 (2023) |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | RCW 16.52 (HB 1424, 2021; amended 2023) |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
| 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. | Official text |
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General information, not legal advice. Laws change and local authorities often add stricter rules. Each row links to its source and was checked on the date shown at the top — confirm with your local authority or a lawyer before relying on it.