S. 2908: An Act relative to the humane protection of animals
MSPCA Position: Support
Sponsor: Senator John Velis; Representatives Ted Philips and Jessica Giannino
Status: Passed the Senate on July 29, 2024. Passed the House on December 30, 2024. Signed into law January 8, 2025 as Chapter 346 of the Acts of 2024.
Governor Maura Healey has signed this bill into law! Thank you to sponsors Senator John Velis, State Representative Ted Philips, and State Representative Jessica Giannino for your advocacy on this issue! We also want to thank Senate President Karen E. Spilka, Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate Ways and Means Chair Senator Michael Rodrigues, and House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz for your leadership and supporting this bill through your committees and chambers.
Current provisions:
Prohibiting the sale of puppies and kittens under 8 weeks old
Separating puppies and kittens from their mother and littermates early can result in health and behavioral problems, including disease susceptibility and aggression. For puppies, these weeks include their primary socialization developmental stage—when they learn important species-specific behaviors such as bite inhibition, submissive postures, and the development of proper social relations with their littermates. Behavior problems caused by early separation can make dogs in particular more difficult to adopt and, in worst-case scenarios, can contribute to the likelihood of dog bites and can be a public safety threat. Pet shops and shelters already are prohibited from selling or adopting animals at this young age; this section would close a gap by prohibiting anyone from doing this.
Prohibiting the roadside sale of animals
This section would prohibit the sale, exchange, or commercial display of any dog or cat on any roadside, park, recreation area, flea market or outdoor market, or parking lot. Selling animals in such places by individuals often provides no recourse for consumers who may purchase a sick animal. The prohibition would not apply to the transfer of a dog or cat by, or to, a shelter, animal control, or animal rescue; or to the display of a dog or cat as part of a state or county fair exhibition, a 4-H program, or similar exhibition or educational program.