Petfax Act of 2026

Summary#

This bill, the Petfax Act of 2026, requires many sellers of dogs and cats to give buyers a prescribed disclosure before a purchase. Covered sellers include dealers, retail pet stores, and other people who sell dogs or cats for money (but not public shelters or many 501(c)(3) rescue organizations unless they received the animal for money). The disclosure must list the animal's source (names, addresses, and any USDA license or registration numbers when available), how many animals a breeder produced and sold in the prior 2 years, and any Animal Welfare Act violations for those sellers in the prior 2 years. It also must list health details: date of birth, veterinarian exam information or a statement if no exam occurred, vaccines given, and any known congenital or infectious conditions. Sellers who transfer animals to other covered sellers must provide the same information. Nonprofit rescuers who paid to acquire an animal must disclose that payment, the amount, and the source (if known).

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must write rules within 180 days describing the required disclosure form and how to provide the information. The FTC will enforce the disclosure requirement as an unfair or deceptive act or practice; the disclosure rule takes effect 60 days after the FTC issues its rules. The bill also amends the Animal Welfare Act to define “immediate family member” and to block the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing or renewing dealer licenses in certain circumstances after a dealer’s license was suspended or revoked. That includes a 10-year bar in some cases and rules for legal entities; there are exceptions if a person can show by clear and convincing evidence they will have no ownership, care, or management role. The Secretary must adopt implementing regulations within 1 year and may revoke licenses that were improperly granted.

The bill says it does not preempt state or local laws.

What it means for you#

  • If you buy a dog or cat from a covered seller, you should receive a written disclosure before you buy that lists where the animal came from, recent breeder and seller inspection or violation history, and the animal’s health history.
  • Online sellers are included, so the disclosure must be provided for internet sales.
  • Public shelters are excluded; many animal rescue or adoption nonprofits are excluded unless they acquired the animal for money, in which case they must disclose the payment and source.
  • Sellers must pass required information along when they transfer animals to other sellers.
  • The FTC will create the disclosure form and enforce the rule. The USDA will change licensing rules to limit issuing new dealer licenses in some situations after revocations or suspensions.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s stated aim is to improve honesty in pet sales by requiring sellers to give buyers verifiable information about where a dog or cat came from and its health history, and by strengthening USDA licensing limits after dealer suspensions or revocations. The FTC is given rulemaking and enforcement authority to carry out the disclosure requirement.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.