I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2840 
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide for the humane treatment 
of dogs, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 26, 2021 
Mr. FITZPATRICK (for himself, Mr. CRIST, Mr. RESCHENTHALER, and Mr. 
MCGOVERN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture 
A BILL 
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide for the humane 
treatment of dogs, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Puppy Protection Act 
of 2021’’. 
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DEALERS. 
(a) HUMANE TREATMENT OF DOGS BY DEALERS.— 
Section 13(a) of The Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 
2143(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
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‘‘(9) In addition to the requirements under paragraph 
(2), the standards described in paragraph (1) shall, with 
respect to dealers, include requirements— 
‘‘(A) that such dealer provide adequate housing 
for dogs that includes— 
‘‘(i) completely solid flooring; 
‘‘(ii) indoor space sufficient to allow the 
tallest dog in an enclosure to stand on his or 
her hind legs without touching the roof of the 
enclosure; 
‘‘(iii) with respect to dogs over 8 weeks in 
age, primary enclosures that, with the length of 
the dog measured from the tip of the nose to 
the base of the tail, provide at least— 
‘‘(I) 12 square feet of indoor floor 
space per each dog up to 25 inches long; 
‘‘(II) 20 square feet of indoor floor 
space per each dog between 25 and 35 
inches long; and 
‘‘(III) 30 square feet of indoor floor 
space per each dog 35 inches and longer; 
‘‘(iv) enclosures that are not stacked or 
otherwise placed on top of or below another en-
closure; and 
‘‘(v) temperature control that— 
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‘‘(I) is appropriate for the age, breed, 
and condition of the dogs in the enclosure; 
and 
‘‘(II) is between 45 and 85 degrees 
Fahrenheit, when dogs are present in the 
enclosure; 
‘‘(B) that appropriate and nutritious food be 
provided to each dog at least twice per day, in an 
amount sufficient to maintain the good health and 
physical condition of each such dog; 
‘‘(C) that each dog has continuous access to po-
table water that is not frozen and is free of feces, 
algae, and other contaminants; 
‘‘(D) that each dog has adequate exercise, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(i) for dogs over the age of 12 weeks, un-
restricted access from their primary enclosures 
during daylight hours to an outdoor exercise 
area that is— 
‘‘(I) at ground-level; 
‘‘(II) a solid surface; 
‘‘(III) enclosed (by a fence or other 
structure); 
‘‘(IV) properly controlled for the safe-
ty of the dogs; and 
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‘‘(V) allows the dog to extend to full 
stride, play, and engage in other types of 
mentally stimulating and social behaviors; 
or 
‘‘(ii) if the dealer obtains a certification 
from the attending veterinarian stating that the 
dog should not have unfettered access to an 
outdoor exercise area for a specific medical rea-
son, an alternative exercise plan prescribed by 
the veterinarian for the dog that meets the re-
quirements under section 3.8a of title 9, Code 
of Federal Regulations; 
‘‘(E) that each dog has meaningful socialization 
with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 
minutes each day that— 
‘‘(i) includes positive interaction with a 
human such as petting, stroking, grooming, 
feeding, playing with, exercising, or other 
touching of the dog that is beneficial to the 
well-being of the dog; and 
‘‘(ii) does not include time spent in veteri-
nary care; 
‘‘(F) that each dog receives adequate veterinary 
care, including— 
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‘‘(i) prompt treatment of any disease, ill-
ness or injury by a licensed veterinarian; 
‘‘(ii) a thorough hands-on examination by 
a licensed veterinarian at least once each year, 
which shall include a dental exam; 
‘‘(iii) core vaccinations recommended by 
the current version of the American Animal 
Hospital Association Canine Vaccination Guide-
lines; and 
‘‘(iv) medications to prevent intestinal 
parasites, heartworm disease, fleas, and ticks 
that are approved by a licensed veterinarian for 
canine use; 
‘‘(G) with respect to safe breeding practices for 
dogs, including— 
‘‘(i) a screening program for known preva-
lent inheritable diseases that may be disabling 
or likely to significantly affect the lifespan or 
quality of life of the mother or her offspring; 
‘‘(ii) prohibiting breeding, unless each dog 
bred has been screened by a veterinarian prior 
to each attempt to breed and is found to be free 
from health conditions that may be disabling to, 
or likely to significantly affect the lifespan or 
quality of life of, the mother or her offspring 
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(as documented by a licensed veterinarian upon 
examination); 
‘‘(iii) prohibiting the breeding of a female 
dog— 
‘‘(I) to produce more than two litters 
in any 18-month period; or 
‘‘(II) more than 6 litters in that dog’s 
lifetime; 
‘‘(iv) that female dogs of small breeds 
(having a maximum weight range at maturity 
that is below 40 pounds) not be bred— 
‘‘(I) before reaching the age of 18 
months; or 
‘‘(II) after reaching the age of 9 
years; 
‘‘(v) that female dogs of large breeds (hav-
ing expected weight ranges at maturity that in-
clude 40 or more pounds) not be bred— 
‘‘(I) before reaching the age of 2 
years; or 
‘‘(II) after reaching the age of 7 
years; and 
‘‘(vi) that any canine caesarian section be 
performed by a licensed veterinarian; 
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‘‘(H) that dogs be housed with other dogs, un-
less health or behavioral issues make group housing 
unsafe; and 
‘‘(I) to make all reasonable efforts to find hu-
mane placement for retired breeding dogs (such as 
with an adoptive family, rescue organization, or 
other appropriate owner for that dog, and not in-
cluding selling at auction or otherwise placing a re-
tired breeding dog with another breeder for breeding 
purposes).’’. 
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
13(a)(2)(B) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 
2143(a)(2)(B)) is amended by inserting ‘‘subject to para-
graph (9),’’ before ‘‘for exercise of dogs’’. 
SEC. 3. REGULATIONS. 
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final regulations 
establishing the standards for the care of dogs by dealers, 
as required by this Act. 
Æ 
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