PRIA Logo™
119-hr-8627119th CongressWALLET

Petfax Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would boost transparency in the sale of dogs and cats by requiring sellers to share standardized sourcing and health records. It focuses on dealers, retail pet stores, and other for-profit sellers while excluding public shelters and 501(c)(3) adoption or rescue groups.

Show full summary
  • Families and pet buyers would get clear source and health info before purchase, including dealer contact and license number, a two-year breeding and sales history, the chain of sellers, any Animal Welfare Act violations in the prior two years, date of birth, recent veterinary exam details, and a list of vaccines and known conditions.
  • Dealers, retailers, and high-volume breeders would have to transfer records between sellers and would be banned from misrepresenting an animal’s source or whether it came from a high-volume breeder. A high-volume breeder is defined as having at least four breeding animals on-site or at least 25 sales in a year.
  • Enforcement and licensing would tighten. The Federal Trade Commission would treat false source or information claims as unfair or deceptive practices once it issues implementing rules, due within 180 days. Licensing bars would block issuing or renewing dealer licenses for 10 years to people or entities tied to facilities with a suspended or revoked license in the prior 10 years unless they prove non-involvement. Rules to implement licensing changes must be in place within one year. The bill preserves state and local authority over pet-sale rules.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Ban on false pet source claims

If enacted, the bill would make it unlawful to use unfair or deceptive acts in selling pets and would specifically ban false claims about where a dog or cat was bred or whether a seller acquired it from a high-volume breeder. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce these rules under the FTC Act and could use its usual powers and penalties. The bill also defines a "high-volume breeder" as someone required to be licensed, or who keeps at least 4 breeding dogs or cats on site, or who sold at least 25 dogs or cats they bred in one year.

Pet seller source and health disclosures

If enacted, the bill would require covered sellers to give buyers standard source and health information before selling a dog or cat that was bred by a dealer who must be licensed under the Animal Welfare Act. The information would include the breeder’s name, address, phone, USDA license number if any, how many animals that dealer bred/sold in the prior two years, the chain of sellers, and any Animal Welfare Act violations in the prior two years. Sellers would also have to give the pet’s date of birth, most recent vet exam date and the vet’s contact/license or say no exam occurred, vaccines given, and known congenital or infectious conditions. The rule would apply to seller-to-seller transfers when the animal will later be sold, and enforcement would begin 60 days after the Federal Trade Commission issues implementing rules, which the FTC must write within 180 days of enactment.

Stricter dealer licensing and ownership bans

If enacted, the bill would bar the USDA from issuing or renewing dealer licenses at a facility if a prior license at that same location was suspended or revoked within the last 10 years. The restriction would also block immediate family members or co-residents from getting a license at that address unless they prove by clear and convincing evidence the prior dealer will have no ownership or role in care or management. The bill would also let the Secretary revoke licenses later found to have been issued in violation of these rules and requires implementing regulations within one year of enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

NC • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation