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Committee advances AB 506 to curb deceptive online pet sales, ban nonrefundable deposits
Summary
AB 506 would require sellers to disclose an animal's origin and veterinary records when known and void contracts requiring nonrefundable deposits; the committee sent the bill to Senate Judiciary after testimony from animal-welfare and consumer-protection groups.
Assemblymember Bennett presented AB 506 to address what she and witnesses described as widespread deceptive online pet sales and predatory broker practices. The committee voted to move the bill to Senate Judiciary.
Bennett said recent reporting shows consumers often pay nonrefundable deposits for pets without receiving seller disclosures such as origin or veterinary records. She said AB 506 would void contracts that fail to disclose origin or vet records and would prohibit nonrefundable deposits in many online pet sales.
Witnesses from the ASPCA and San Diego Humane Society testified in support, describing how online brokers and advertisements can mask inhumane breeding sources and encourage fraudulent transactions. Julianne Tetlow of the San Diego Humane Society and Britney Benesee of the ASPCA urged committee members to back the bill to protect buyers and reduce demand for animals from poor breeding conditions.
Supporters said the bill would provide consumer remedies, including refund rights within 30 days for deceptive contracts. Committee members asked how the law would be enforced for out-of-state sellers; the author and witnesses said the bill creates a legal standard and disclosure requirement that would give California authorities and consumers grounds to act, though enforcement challenges for out-of-state actors remain.
The committee reported the motion to pass AB 506 to Senate Judiciary; the clerk—s summary recorded the item as sent to Judiciary for further review.
Why it matters: Supporters said the bill protects Californians from scams that target buyers seeking pets online and reduces demand for animals originating in inhumane out-of-state breeding facilities. Committee members noted enforcement will be a focus in subsequent hearings.
Next steps: AB 506 was referred to Senate Judiciary for additional policy and enforcement review.
