FRANKFORT, Ky. — In an uncommon move at the Kentucky State Capitol, a committee voted to not advance a measure to regulate pet stores.

What You Need To Know

  • Senate Bill 122 failed to advance out of the Senate agriculture committee with a 5-5 vote
  • It would have prevented cities from blocking the sell of breeder-provided animals, which a three cities have enacted

  • A similar bill filed by the same lawmaker last year was never brought up for a vote by the state senate

“My goal in bringing this bill was to balance out protecting private business rights from what I viewed as overreach, while still preserving as much local control on how businesses operate, that we can preserve for the communities,” said bill sponsor and agriculture committee chair State Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray.

Senate Bill 122 would have allowed qualified breeders to sell dogs and cats in pet stores, and prevented cities from blocking such sales. 

Louisville, Lexington and Elizabethtown all bar pet stores from selling breeder-provided animals, and only allow stores to partner with animal shelters.

Petland supported the measure.

“By supporting state wide regulation that sets clear, consistent standards, we can protect against unethical breeding practices without punishing legal responsible operators,” said Elizabeth Kunzelman, vice president of legislative and public affairs for Petland.

Miriam Arena, a former Petland employee from its Lexington location, said she does not believe her previous employer would abide by added scrutiny included in the bill.

“When we were calling for help, when the employees were saying, hey, these puppies are hurting, we don’t have anybody. We need you. They never stepped up to the end of their bargain,” Arena said. “And so, I know for a fact that they’re not going to step up now.”

Opponents of the bill had two concerns.

First, the bill would keep cities from enacting stricter policies than the ones in the bill.

And second, they believe the bill doesn’t do enough to address problematic breeders, and might allow them to continue operating in pet stores.

Eastern Kentucky lawmaker State Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, voted for Howell’s bill and opposed local actions against pet stores.

“There will be puppy mills, regardless of legislation. It’s just really a matter of identifying those bad actors, just like anything else, and enforcing the laws that we have pertaining to animal welfare,” Webb said.

The bill will not be moving forward. However, its defeat in committee does not guarantee it is gone for good.

A similar bill filed by the same lawmaker last year was never brought up for a vote by the state senate.

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