Overview
- Council voted unanimously to restrict small-scale breeding and to bar offering puppies younger than seven months for sale or adoption within city limits.
- The measure exempts Pennsylvania-licensed kennels, nonprofits and rescue groups, service-dog breeding programs, and one-time transfers of a single puppy made without profit.
- Owners of female dogs must take “reasonable measures” to prevent litters, and violations such as breeding or advertising puppies for sale can draw $1,000 fines directed to ACCT Philly for enforcement.
- Shelter leaders cite rising intakes at ACCT Philly—6,065 dogs in 2023, 6,880 in 2024, and 7,430 in 2025—with housing instability identified as a leading driver of surrenders.
- The American Kennel Club opposed the ordinance, saying hobby breeders cannot practically obtain state kennel licenses and urging a stakeholder process before new rules take effect.