A Big Win for Philly’s Dogs: The Passing of Bill No. 250989

There are rare moments in local government that truly matter for dogs. The passing of Bill No. 250989 in Philadelphia is one of them. This legislation, which was supported by us and the vast majority of rescue organizations across the city, represents a meaningful step forward for dog welfare in Philadelphia. When rescue groups, advocates, small businesses, and community members all line up on the same side of an issue, it usually means one thing: the dogs win!

What Bill No. 250989 Actually Does

Bill No. 250989 creates a three year moratorium on the breeding and sale of puppies under seven months old within Philadelphia city limits.

Specifically, it:

• Prohibits breeding dogs in the City of Philadelphia during the moratorium period

• Prohibits selling, offering for sale, advertising, exchanging, or transferring for payment any dog under seven months old

• Requires that any permitted advertisements include identifying information such as a Pennsylvania kennel license number or nonprofit EIN, plus the ZIP code where the dog is located

Important Exemptions

The bill does not apply to:

• State licensed kennels operating under Pennsylvania Dog Law

• Registered 501(c)(3) shelters and rescue organizations placing dogs for adoption

• Service dog, police, or research programs

• A one time private rehoming of a puppy not bred in Philadelphia, owned for at least 30 days, and transferred without profit

Violations may result in fines, with higher penalties for repeat offenses. Revenue from enforcement can support animal care services in the city.

Why This Bill Matters for Philly Dogs

Street Tails Animal rescue says: "Pearl’s body carried the evidence. During surgery, our veterinary team found extensive internal scarring consistent with multiple C-sections. She had been bred repeatedly. When she was no longer useful, she was discarded." As of Feb 2026, Pearl is for adoption from Street Tails.

Dogs are flooding into our municipal shelter, many of them puppies. In January of 2026 alone, the shelter took in a whopping 679 dogs (the highest intake since 2016.) Genetics studies done at ACCT over the last few years show that a large swath of dogs entering the shelter are related to each other, meaning a small group of backyard breeders are fueling our shelter overcrowding.

But wait! Where will people find puppies if they want to source a puppy from an ethical breeder? Folks can still purchase puppies, but they must be from State Licensed Kennels. (Puppies intended for police, service or research are exempt.) Due to Philadelphia zoning, at the time of the ordinance, there were ZERO State licensed kennels operating in the city anyway. (Most of the puppies bred in Philadelphia city limits are of the "backyard breeding" variety.)

For those of us who spend our days walking Philly’s dogs, this is not theoretical. We see the long arc of a dog’s life - from puppies to elder-pups, we know that not all dogs start out in the best of circumstances. And the cosntant surrendering of puppies is overburdening and overcrowding our rescues (and leading to poorer outcomes for ALL dogs who enter shelters.) Our own dog, Tui entered the city shelter with his siblings as an unvaccinated puppy and almost died from respiratory viruses. Thankfully, Street Tails literally saved his life with emergency veterinary care.

Our rescues and shelters are picking up the bill for continued, irresponsible breeding of dogs.

They shouldn't have to.

And all dogs that enter the shelter system are at risk when our shelters are overcrowded.

Why We Supported It

We have always believed that:

• Dogs deserve humane, responsible treatment from day one.

• Families deserve transparency and education - whether they opt to adopt or purchase

• Local rescue organizations deserve policies that support their lifesaving work.

• Local governement should listen to the experts. In this case, the people on the front line of lifesaving work - the rescues and shelters

We have walked dogs fresh out of shelters, dogs in foster care, and dogs adopted into loving homes after second or third chances. We know how much effort goes into giving each dog a safe, stable future. This bill supports that ecosystem by stemming the tide of dogs flowing into our shelter system.

A sign at the hearing. Protect Philly Dogs!

What This Means for Philadelphia Dog Owners

If you are a current or future dog parent in Philadelphia, this is about raising the standard.

It means:

• Clearer expectations around responsible practices

• Stronger protections for dogs entering the community

• Continued support for ethical, humane sourcing

Dog welfare is not just about one policy. It is about building a city where fewer dogs enter the shelter system unnecessarily and rescue organizations are supported rather than sidelined. And last week, Philly took a step in the right direction.

If you have questions about finding the right fit for your household, supporting local rescue work, or setting your dog up for long term success, we are always here to chat.