Last Thursday, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to end the inhumane puppy-mill-to-pet-shop pipeline by cutting off commercial sales of cats and dogs in Massachusetts pet stores. The bill’s passage marked the first votes in the upper chamber for Senator Vanna Howard (D-Lowell), who was sworn into the State Senate the previous day.
The legislation – Pet Equity, Treatment and Safety – nicknamed the PETS Act, would also end harsh, unnecessary testing of animal subjects for non-medical purposes; boost animal wellbeing; and make responsible pet ownership possible for more people.
“It was a distinct honor to cast my inaugural votes in the State Senate in favor of such vital legislation. This act prohibits unnecessary and inhumane practices, while simultaneously ensuring that loving families retain the ability to adopt and care for animals. I extend my sincere gratitude to my Senate colleagues for their diligent efforts on this significant initiative,” said Senator Howard. As a dedicated guardian of two canine companions, Ming Ming and Ziggy, I have directly experienced that pets are integral members of the family unit.”
Under Senate Bill 3014, An Act promoting pet equity, treatment, and safety, pet shops could display animals from nonprofits for adoption, but for‑profit sales—often linked to large commercial breeders known as puppy mills—would be banned. A growing number of states have banned the sale of cats and dogs in licensed retail pet stores.
To make pet ownership possible for more Massachusetts residents, the PETS Act would require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to create a uniform pet ownership program for residents of state-aided public housing. Public housing facilities would be prohibited from discriminating based on a pet’s breed or size. The legislation’s breed acceptance measures go further by prohibiting homeowner insurance companies from factoring a dog’s breed into underwriting, rating, or renewal decisions.
To promote animal welfare, the bill would prohibit manufacturers from subjecting animals to unnecessary chemical testing for non-medical research, sparing innocent animals from harsh conditions. It would also extend a state law which protects dogs from cruelty to cover all household pets, ensuring adequate food, water, and sanitary conditions. The legislation would also protect livestock and other animals by adding civil penalties to enforce existing anti-cruelty statutes.
During the session, Senators amended the bill to expand the 2022 research animal protection law and apply its provisions to all research facilities that test on dogs and cats, beyond the law’s original focus on higher education facilities. The law requires facilities to assess the health of former animal test subjects and then, if appropriate, make them available for adoption as pets.
The bill was reported to the full Senate by a 17-0 vote of the Committee on Ways and Means on March 12, 2026. All committee votes are posted on the Legislature’s website and full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate Press Room.
The Senate passed the bill on a 38-0 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review.
