Legislative roundup: Veterinary and animal-related laws going into effect in different states
In 2025, several states passed or made movement on laws that impact the veterinary industry. While some have already been in effect for months, others are just now commencing (or will be soon).
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Several veterinary bills and laws are currently advancing at the state level, reflecting evolving priorities in animal welfare, veterinary regulations, and more. Below is a list of new bills and laws in multiple states that we’re keeping an eye on.
California
Several laws that went into effect this year in California were part of a broader animal welfare legislative package. The following laws went into effect on Jan. 1, 2026:
AB 867: Bans most declawing of cats, except when medically necessary for the animal’s health, and requires procedures to be performed by a veterinarian. Read the bill here.
AB 516: Expands on what registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants can do under vet supervision. Read more here.
SB 602: Allows veterinary technicians at animal shelters to perform certain routine veterinary tasks, such as vaccinations and parasite control, without a supervising vet on-site with the hope of alleviating veterinary care staffing shortages in shelters. Learn more here.
AB 519: Prohibits brokers from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits under one year old, aiming to reduce third-party puppy mill sales. Read more about it here.
SB 312: Requires health certificates for imported dogs to be electronically filed with the state agriculture department and made publicly available. Read the bill here.
AB 506: Voids pet sale contracts with non-refundable deposits that fail to disclose animal origins and require refunds within 30 days if a puppy becomes unavailable. Learn more here.
Florida
HB 255 (Dexter’s Law): Establishes a statewide online database of animal cruelty offenders, increases penalties for aggravated cruelty, and makes restraining or abandoning pets during emergencies a felony. While the law went into place on July 1, 2025, the database was required to go public on Jan. 1, 2026. The database exists here.
HB 655: Requires pet insurers to clearly disclose policy terms and how claims are paid and allows buyers to review and cancel policies; insurers may exclude pre-existing conditions with proof. This went into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Learn more here.
Ohio
HB 247 (Avery’s Law): Courts may hold hearings and order euthanasia when a dog seriously injures or kills a person without provocation. This law goes into effect on Mar. 18, 2026.
Other legislation we’re watching that is not yet law
New York:
AB A9042: A bill under review would require veterinary clinic mergers or major ownership changes to provide notice and undergo state review (not yet enacted). Read more here.
Pennsylvania:
HB 97: This has passed the Pennsylvania House, classifying pets as cherished family members (not just property) for divorce cases; awaits final legislative action. You can read more here.
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