The clock is about to hit January 1, 2026, and California’s new pet sale rules start right away. These changes target third party sellers that arrange pet sales for profit, even when someone else bred the animals. Supporters call it a long overdue clean up. Some families feel it lands too late, yet the start date is here.
What the law blocks, in simple language
Assembly Bill 519 stops a “broker” from offering certain animals for sale or adoption. The rule covers puppies under one year old, plus cats and rabbits. California uses a broad definition of broker. It covers people or businesses that arrange, negotiate, advertise, or process the sale of animals bred by someone else for profit. It applies to in person sales and online listings.
AB 519 still leaves room for normal rehoming. A true owner can rehome a pet, as long as that owner does not transfer animals more than three times per calendar year. The law lists other carve outs too, such as certain government and nonprofit situations, plus specific working dog categories.
So what should you do when a seller pushes you to pay tonight. Slow down and ask direct questions right away. Ask, “Did you breed this animal.” Then ask for the breeder’s name and location. Next, ask where the litter grew up. If the answers drift or change, walk away.
A second rule hits deposits and thin paperwork
Assembly Bill 506 targets nonrefundable deposits, plus weak disclosure. Starting January 1, 2026, a covered contract for a California buyer cannot lock in a nonrefundable deposit. Sellers can still request money up front. Yet they cannot write a contract that traps that money as nonrefundable under the covered scenario.
The same bill pushes sellers to give real information in writing. A buyer should receive clear source details and medical information in a written notice, not just a few texts.
This single change can lower pressure in fast paced sales chats. A solid seller can handle basic paperwork and clear answers. A shady seller often cannot.
Dogs coming in from out of state face tighter paperwork
Senate Bill 312 adds another step for dogs that enter California for resale or a change of ownership. The rule tells the importer or seller to obtain a health certificate dated close to the travel window, then share it with the buyer and submit it through the required channel.
For buyers, that means one more document to request before pickup. When a seller says, “The pup came from another state,” ask for the health certificate and the vet’s contact details. Keep the request polite and firm. Put it in writing.
Cat declawing rules tighten fast
Assembly Bill 867 narrows cat declawing to medical need. Vets can perform a declaw type procedure only for a therapeutic purpose tied to the cat’s health. Convenience and cosmetic reasons do not qualify under the new rule.
If you want a deeper breakdown that you can share with family, read <a href=”https://petsafenest.com/californias-2026-cat-declawing-ban-and-puppy-mill-rules-what-pet-families-need-to-know”>this California 2026 guide on the declawing ban and puppy mill rules</a>. It lays out the practical steps that protect both the pet and the buyer.
What this means for families shopping right now
These laws do not end pet ownership in California. They change who can sit in the middle of a sale, and they push more details onto paper. That shift can help families avoid surprise medical costs, and it can cut down on the worst high volume sales tactics.
Here is a simple checklist for tonight and the next few weeks:
- Ask who bred the animal, and ask where the animal lived from birth to pickup.
- Ask for medical records, vaccination details, and vet contact info.
- Keep payments and agreements in writing, on a single thread you can save.
- Skip sellers who rush you, dodge details, or push you off platform.
A healthy deal feels calm. You should feel like you can think, ask, and sleep on it. That alone filters out a lot of trouble.
