IT’S OFFICIAL! Governor Kemp signed HB 331 into law on Friday, with an effective date of July 1, 2025. The law prohibits the sale or barter of dogs, cats, and pet rabbits in unregulated and outdoor locations such as parking lots, sidewalks, roadsides, parks, and seasonal flea markets. Breeders can still sell from their home, place of business, a vet’s office, or a prearranged sale at a law enforcement station parking lot. The law does not apply to those giving away an animal for free or sales of livestock including rabbits used for food.
The bill’s intent is to help curtail reckless backyard breeding by reducing opportunities for illicit pet sales to occur. A similar measure has been passed as a local ordinance in 11 jurisdictions to date which fully prohibit pet sales at any flea market. Stay tuned for more information and forthcoming FAQ to share with the public and law enforcement.
Link to bill language and vote counts:
https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70060
A very special thank you to the following lawmakers for their sponsorship of HB 331: State Representatives Beth Camp, Joseph Gullett, Leesa Hagan, Mike Cameron, Kimberly New, and Sharon Cooper and State Senator Lee Anderson. If you are a constituent of one of these lawmakers, please take 5 minutes to thank them via phone call and email. To find your legislator: https://pluralpolicy.com/open/ (scroll down to green box)
Appreciation is also extended to Professor Lisa Milot of the UGA School of Law for drafting the bill and local ordinances and testifying at hearings, and to Debra Berger (retired State Director for Humane World for Animals) for her earlier work to pioneer the policy in Georgia.
