Puppy Protection Act of 2026

This bill would amend the federal Animal Welfare Act to add care standards for dogs kept by licensed dealers. Dealers would have to provide solid flooring, minimum indoor space based on dog length, unstacked enclosures, and temperatures between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Dogs would need food twice a day, constant clean water, daily outdoor exercise access, at least 30 minutes of daily socialization, and yearly veterinary exams with vaccinations. The bill would limit how often and at what ages female dogs can be bred and would require dealers to try to place retired breeding dogs with adoptive homes rather than sell them at auction. The Secretary of Agriculture would have 18 months to issue final regulations.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Richard J. Durbin Democrat sponsor
• 21 cosponsors