Massachusetts Senate to Vote on the PETS Act
March 12, 2026Ways and Means Committee favorably reports animal anti-cruelty bill to end retail sales of dogs and cats; Senate vote scheduled for next week
(BOSTON—3/12/2026) Next week the Massachusetts Senate will take up the PETS Act, an animal anti-cruelty bill that would put a stop to puppy and kitten sales in commercial pet stores and make reforms to the state’s pet laws to ensure more ethical and equitable treatment of animals statewide.
The comprehensive legislative package—S.3014, An Act promoting pet equity, treatment, and safety—combats animal cruelty and fosters responsible pet ownership. It would end the unnecessary use of animal test subjects while continuing to allow for medical research, expand legal protections to cover all household pets, and help make pet ownership possible for people in state-aided public housing regardless of their dog’s size or breed.
Pet shops that rely on selling puppies from commercial breeding facilities have been shown to pose serious risks to animal welfare. This legislation would join a growing number of states in banning this practice while still allowing pet shops to operate and remain profitable by selling pet supplies and services and by partnering with shelters and rescues to showcase adoptable animals.
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means reported the legislation favorably today. The full Senate plans to debate the legislation next Thursday, March 19. Senators will have until 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16 to file amendments to the bill.
Full details of the PETS Act are available online in the Senate press room.
The Committee on Ways and Means advanced the PETS Act as a new draft of legislation unanimously recommended by the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on November 10, 2025. Senator Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester) and Senator Patrick M. O’Connor (R-Weymouth) were among the original sponsors.
The Committee on Ways and Means incorporated provisions from three other Senate proposals: legislation dealing with pet ownership in public housing filed by Senator Pavel M. Payano (D-Lawrence), and bills filed by Senator Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford) relative to animal test subjects and punishing animal cruelty. The underlying bills were the subjects of public input at hearings respectively held by the Joint Committee on Housing, the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, and the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.
All committee votes are publicly posted on the Legislature’s website. Details of legislation up for consideration by the Senate are included in fact sheets available in the Senate press room.