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Congressional Daily Record
This section focuses on legislation moving through Congress. It mentions legislation such as Amend the Animal Welfare Act to establish additional requirements for dealers, and for other purposes., committees such as Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, members such as Richard Joseph Durbin.
Issued
April 29, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextBy Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Schiff, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms.
Alsobrooks, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Booker, Ms. Smith, Mr. Van Hollen,
Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Warner, Mr.
Coons, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Wyden, and Ms. Rosen):
S. 4437. A bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act to establish additional requirements for dealers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
S. 4437
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Puppy Protection Act of
2026”.
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DEALERS.
(a) Humane Treatment of Dogs by Dealers.—Section 13(a) of
the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2143(a)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
“(9) In addition to the requirements under paragraph (2),
the standards described in paragraph (1) shall, with respect
to dealers, include requirements—
“(A) that the dealer provide adequate housing for dogs
that includes—
“(i) completely solid flooring;
“(ii) indoor space sufficient to allow the tallest dog in
an enclosure to stand on his or her hind legs without
touching the roof of the enclosure;
“(iii) with respect to dogs over 8 weeks in age, primary
enclosures that, with the length of the dog measured from the
tip of the nose to the base of the tail, provide at least—
“(I) 12 square feet of indoor floor space per each dog
measuring not more than 25 inches long;
“(II) 20 square feet of indoor floor space per each dog
measuring more than 25 but less than 35 inches long; and
“(III) 30 square feet of indoor floor space per each dog
measuring not less than 35 inches long;
“(iv) enclosures that are not stacked or otherwise placed
on top of or below another enclosure; and
“(v) temperature control that—
“(I) is appropriate for the age, breed, and condition of
each dog in the enclosure; and
“(II) is between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, when dogs
are present in the enclosure;
“(B) that appropriate and nutritious food be provided to
each dog at least twice per day, in an amount sufficient to
maintain the good health and physical condition of each dog;
“(C) that each dog has continuous access to potable water
that is not frozen and is free of feces, algae, and other
contaminants;
“(D) that each dog has adequate exercise, including, for
each dog over the age of 12 weeks—
“(i) except as provided in clause (ii), unrestricted
access from the primary enclosure of the dog during daylight
hours to an outdoor exercise area that—
“(I) is at ground-level;
“(II) is a solid surface;
“(III) is enclosed by a fence or other structure;
“(IV) is properly controlled for the safety of the dog;
and
“(V) allows the dog to extend to full stride, play, and
engage in other types of mentally stimulating and social
behaviors; or
“(ii) if the dealer obtains a certification from the
attending veterinarian stating that a dog should not have
unrestricted access to an outdoor exercise area for a
specific medical reason, an alternative exercise plan
prescribed by the veterinarian for the dog that meets the
applicable requirements under section 3.8 of title 9, Code of
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations);
“(E) that each dog has meaningful socialization with
humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day
that—
“(i) includes positive interaction with a human such as
petting, stroking, grooming, feeding, playing with,
exercising, or other touching of the dog that is beneficial
to the well-being of the dog; and
“(ii) does not include time spent in veterinary care;
“(F) that each dog receives adequate veterinary care,
including—
“(i) prompt treatment of any disease, illness, or injury
by a licensed veterinarian;
“(ii) a thorough, hands-on examination by a licensed
veterinarian at least once each year, which shall include a
dental exam;
“(iii) core vaccinations recommended by the latest version
of the American Animal Hospital Association Canine
Vaccination Guidelines; and
“(iv) medications to prevent intestinal parasites,
heartworm disease, fleas, and ticks that are approved by a
licensed veterinarian for canine use;
“(G) with respect to safe breeding practices for dogs,
including—
“(i) a screening program for known prevalent inheritable
diseases that may be disabling or likely to significantly
affect the lifespan or quality of life of the mother or the
offspring;
“(ii) prohibiting breeding, unless each dog bred—
“(I) has been screened by a licensed veterinarian prior to
each attempt to breed; and
“(II) is found in the screening under subclause (I) to be
free from health conditions that may be disabling to, or
likely to significantly affect the lifespan or quality of
life of, the mother or the offspring;
“(iii) prohibiting the breeding of a female dog to
produce—
“(I) more than 2 litters in any 18-month period; or
“(II) more than 6 litters during the lifetime of the dog;
“(iv) that a female dog of any small breed (having a
maximum weight range at maturity that is less than 40 pounds)
not be bred—
“(I) before reaching the age of 18 months; or
“(II) after reaching the age of 9 years;
“(v) that a female dog of any large breed (having an
expected weight range at maturity that includes 40 or more
pounds) not be bred—
“(I) before reaching the age of 2 years; or
“(II) after reaching the age of 7 years; and
“(vi) that any canine caesarian section be performed by a
licensed veterinarian;
“(H) that dogs be housed with other dogs, unless health or
behavioral issues make group housing unsafe; and
“(I) to make all reasonable efforts to find humane
placement for retired breeding dogs—
“(i) such as with an adoptive family, rescue organization,
or other appropriate owner for that dog; and
“(ii) not including selling at auction or otherwise
placing a retired breeding dog with another breeder for
breeding purposes.”.
(b) Conforming Amendment.—Section 13(a)(2)(B) of the
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2143(a)(2)(B)) is amended by
inserting “subject to paragraph (9),” before “for exercise
of dogs”.
(c) Regulations.—Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final
regulations establishing the standards for the care of dogs
by dealers, as required by this section and the amendments
made by this section.