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AB 519 would target third‑party pet brokers to curb puppy‑mill imports; committee advances bill amid industry pushback
Summary
Assemblymember Berman’s AB 519 seeks to prohibit retail sales by third‑party pet brokers and close channels that import dogs, cats and rabbits from out‑of‑state commercial breeding operations; the committee advanced the bill after testimony from animal‑welfare groups and objections from broker platforms and sporting interest groups.
Assemblymember Berman presented AB 519 as part of a package intended to “stop the puppy‑mill pipeline,” proposing to prohibit brokers—defined broadly in the draft—from selling, offering or otherwise transferring for profit dogs, cats or rabbits in California if the sales mask importation from large commercial breeding operations with inadequate welfare oversight.
Supporters including the ASPCA, San Diego Humane Society and multiple local shelters testified that third‑party sellers and brokers enable the resale of animals from out‑of‑state commercial breeders that often fail to meet minimum welfare standards. Witnesses pointed to U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection records documenting welfare violations at some licensed commercial dealers and said that animals arriving through broker channels often have severe health or behavioral problems and are later surrendered to shelters.
Opponents included PuppySpot’s CEO, who said her company is not a reseller, that it does not hold inventory or take ownership of animals, and that the bill’s broker definition was too broad and would capture legitimate platforms and responsible breeders. Hunting and conservation groups, including Ducks Unlimited and the California Cattlemen’s Association, said the bill, as drafted, could unintentionally prevent Californians from acquiring specialized sporting and working dogs (often purchased as young pups under one year of age). Those groups asked for carve‑outs for specific breeds or defined exemptions for working dogs; the author accepted amendments that raised the age threshold for certain exemptions to one year.
The author’s office and supporters said the bill would not prevent direct purchases from California breeders, fellow responsible breeders of merit, rescues, or law enforcement and service dog procurement. They also said the bill’s aim is to close the loopholes that permit puppy‑mill dogs to be offered to California buyers through mis‑portrayed retail channels.
Committee members heard multiple, sometimes competing, policy points: animal welfare and shelter capacity concerns versus legitimate breeders, platforms that connect buyers and breeders, and hunting/working‑dog communities. The committee recorded a motion to advance the bill as amended and left the item on call to allow additional votes.
