I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2253 
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide for the humane treatment 
of dogs, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 21, 2025 
Mr. FITZPATRICK (for himself, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. RESCHENTHALER, and 
Mr. PANETTA) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee 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 2025’’. 
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: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
08:43 Mar 26, 2025
Jkt 000000
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2253.IH
H2253
mprince on LAP1J3WLY3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(9) In addition to the requirements under paragraph 
(2), the standards described in paragraph (1) shall, with 
respect to dealers, include requirements— 
‘‘(A) that such dealer provide adequate housing 
for dogs that includes— 
‘‘(i) completely solid flooring; 
‘‘(ii) indoor space sufficient to allow the 
tallest dog in an enclosure to stand on its hind 
legs without touching the roof of the enclosure; 
‘‘(iii) with respect to dogs over 8 weeks in 
age, primary enclosures that, with the length of 
the dog measured from the tip of the nose to 
the base of the tail, provide at least— 
‘‘(I) 12 square feet of indoor floor 
space per each dog not more than 25 
inches long; 
‘‘(II) 20 square feet of indoor floor 
space per each dog more than 25 but not 
more than 35 inches long; and 
‘‘(III) 30 square feet of indoor floor 
space per each dog more than 35 inches 
long; 
‘‘(iv) enclosures that are not stacked or 
otherwise placed on top of or below another en-
closure; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
08:43 Mar 26, 2025
Jkt 000000
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2253.IH
H2253
mprince on LAP1J3WLY3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(v) temperature control that— 
‘‘(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, except when 
fasting is directed by a licensed veterinarian in the 
provision of appropriate veterinary care; 
‘‘(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, an 
outdoor exercise area that— 
‘‘(I) is freely accessible from the pri-
mary enclosures of such dogs; 
‘‘(II) is at ground-level; 
‘‘(III) is a solid surface; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
08:43 Mar 26, 2025
Jkt 000000
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2253.IH
H2253
mprince on LAP1J3WLY3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(IV) is enclosed (by a fence or other 
structure); 
‘‘(V) is properly controlled for the 
safety of the dogs; 
‘‘(VI) allows the dog to extend to full 
stride, play, and engage in other types of 
mentally stimulating and social behaviors; 
and 
‘‘(VII) is restricted only during night-
time hours (between sunset and sunrise) or 
during severe inclement weather; or 
‘‘(ii) if the dealer obtains a certification 
from the attending veterinarian stating that the 
dog should not have unrestricted access to an 
outdoor exercise area for a specific medical rea-
son, an alternative exercise plan prescribed by 
the veterinarian for the dog that meets the re-
quirements under section 3.8(a) of title 9, Code 
of Federal Regulations as in effect on the date 
of enactment of this paragraph; 
‘‘(E) that each dog has meaningful socialization 
with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 
minutes each day that— 
‘‘(i) includes positive interaction with a 
human such as petting, stroking, grooming, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
08:43 Mar 26, 2025
Jkt 000000
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2253.IH
H2253
mprince on LAP1J3WLY3PROD with $$_JOB
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 and that each dealer maintain updated records 
of all instances of such care, including— 
‘‘(i) prompt treatment by the dealer of any 
minor or shallow cuts, scrapes, and abrasions; 
‘‘(ii) prompt diagnosis and treatment by a 
licensed veterinarian in any case where symp-
toms of any transmissible disease or infection 
or any illness or injury are significant, visible, 
or evident in the behavior, affect, appetite, or 
activity level of the dog; 
‘‘(iii) a thorough hands-on examination by 
a licensed veterinarian at least once each year, 
which shall include a basic dental exam; 
‘‘(iv) core vaccinations recommended by 
the most recent version of the American Animal 
Hospital Association Canine Vaccination Guide-
lines as in effect on the date of enactment of 
this paragraph; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
08:43 Mar 26, 2025
Jkt 000000
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2253.IH
H2253
mprince on LAP1J3WLY3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(v) medications to prevent intestinal 
parasites, heartworm disease, fleas, and ticks 
that are approved by a licensed veterinarian for 
canine use; 
‘‘(G) with respect to safe breeding practices for 
dogs, including— 
‘‘(i) a screening program for known preva-
lent inheritable diseases that may be disabling 
or likely to significantly affect the lifespan or 
quality of life of the mother or her offspring; 
‘‘(ii) prohibiting breeding, unless each dog 
bred has been screened by a veterinarian prior 
to each attempt to breed and is found to be free 
from health conditions that may be disabling to, 
or likely to significantly affect the lifespan or 
quality of life of, the mother or her offspring 
(as documented by a licensed veterinarian upon 
examination); 
‘‘(iii) prohibiting the breeding of a female 
dog to produce— 
‘‘(I) more than 2 litters in any 25- 
month period; or 
‘‘(II) more than 6 litters in the life-
time of such dog; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
08:43 Mar 26, 2025
Jkt 000000
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2253.IH
H2253
mprince on LAP1J3WLY3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(iv) that female dogs of small breeds, hav-
ing 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; 
‘‘(H) that dogs be housed with other dogs, un-
less health conditions identified by a licensed veteri-
narian or behavioral issues make group housing un-
safe; 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-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
08:43 Mar 26, 2025
Jkt 000000
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2253.IH
H2253
mprince on LAP1J3WLY3PROD with $$_JOB
tired breeding dog with another breeder for breeding 
purposes).’’. 
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
13(a)(2)(B) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 
2143(a)(2)(B)) is amended by inserting ‘‘subject to para-
graph (9),’’ before ‘‘for exercise of dogs’’. 
SEC. 3. REGULATIONS. 
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final regulations es-
tablishing the standards for the care of dogs by dealers, 
as required by this Act and the amendments made by this 
Act. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
08:43 Mar 26, 2025
Jkt 000000
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2253.IH
H2253
mprince on LAP1J3WLY3PROD with $$_JOB