Help Dogs in Philadelphia - Support Bill 250989

We are a dog city here in Philly. Whether your pup came from a responsible breeder, a local rescue, or a shelter, all of us share the same goal. We want humane treatment, safe conditions, and strong protections for animals in our city.

Right now ACCT Philly is urging dog lovers to speak up about important animal welfare issues that are heading to City Council. In November, Councilmember Cindy Bass introduced Bill 250989, a bill that would amend Title 10 by adding Section 10-119, in an effort to help with the crisis of thousands of dogs entering the shelter each year. It would impose a temporary moratorium on the breeding and selling of dogs under 7 months of age in Philadelphia (it does not impact adoptions done by nonprofit animal rescues, or breeders licensed by the state). ACCT has a comprehensive FAQ that covers a lot of questions about why this is needed and how it will impact Philadelphians.

You can learn more and take action at ACCT Philly’s page on this important bill.

Below is a breakdown of the issue and clear steps you can take today.

Why this matters

Philadelphia continues to face challenges related to irresponsible breeding, unsafe living conditions for animals, and weak oversight for pet sales. There is a major difference between ethical breeders who prioritize health, temperament, and welfare, and operations that put profit first. Many families in our community choose to work with responsible breeders and that choice can be a loving and thoughtful one.

The problem arises when dogs are bred or sold without proper care. These practices harm animals and burden our overcrowded city shelters/rescues, veterinarians, and families who end up caring for dogs with preventable medical or behavioral needs. The flood of puppies going into ACCT and other shelters is astounding.

This quote from ACCT's website is telling: "Donor funded DNA testing showed the impact of just one breed being frequently bred by irresponsible breeders in Philadelphia. Since 2022, ACCT Philly takes in an average of one husky type dog a day. It is the second most common dog at the shelter. In 2023 ACCT Philly began sampling the DNA of husky type dogs in its care at random. While the testing is ongoing, so far it shows that 47 percent of the dogs sampled had at least one or more close relatives in the sample group (meaning they shared more than 25 percent of their DNA). The average overlap seen in a shelter setting is closer to 9 percent."

What does the data tell us? It means that a small group of backyard breeders are contributing to a large volume of dogs that are entering our shelter system.

And between 2023 to 2024 there has been a 45% increase in puppies flooding in to ACCT Philly. Known breeders are dumping puppies that they cannot sell (or that are sick) at the city shelter. In fact, our pup Tui, was dropped off at ACCT as a three month old, along with two of his siblings. Street Tails Animal Rescue later pulled him, but he was so sick that he was in an oxygen tank for 48 hours before we fostered him. These backyard breeders are putting profit over lives and rescues like Street Tails are footing the vet bills.

Our baby Tui, in an oxygen tank before we fostered him. He entered the shelter system unvaccinated at three months old, and caught just about every respiratory virus a dog could catch. Thankfully he has completely healed, but that came at the expense of thousands of dollars of vet bills that Street Tails covered.

Bill 250989 would address these problems. And yes, Philadelphians can still purchase puppies, but they would have to be from licensed kennels that have a PA Dog Law kennel license (most ethical and reputable breeders would.) Currently there are NO licensed breeding kennels in the City of Philadelphia due to zoning laws. More information can be found in the FAQ.

How you can help:

Contact your Councilmember, telling them you support the bill.

Your local representative needs to hear from you. (Even if you know they support the bill. We don't want it to get watered down.) Sharing your support for stronger animal welfare protections is the most effective action you can take. ACCT's action page makes it easy - simply scroll to the bottom to send an email to your City Councilmember. The squeaky wheel gets the grease! Find them here: https://acctphilly.org/takeaction/

Share the action page with friends, neighbors, and dog groups

Spread the word to:

• Dog friendly apartment communities

• Neighborhood Facebook groups

• Dog park groups

• Co workers and fellow pet owners

Your voice matters, but a chorus is even stronger.

Educate others about responsible breeding

Not all breeders are the same. Remember to ask questions, visit facilities, meet parent dogs, and request health documentation. Ethical breeders welcome transparency. Helping people understand the difference protects both families and dogs.

Support local shelters and rescues

Even if you did not adopt your own dog, you can help shelters by donating, fostering, volunteering, or sharing information online. Stronger laws only work when shelters also have support from the community. We are lucky in in Philly to have such a close-knit rescue community, but more folks are always welcome!

Use your platform to advocate for humane standards

If you run a small business, manage a community page, or simply have a following of dog lovers, consider sharing:

• Adoptable dogs

• Updates on upcoming hearings

• Links to ACCT Philly’s advocacy page

• Personal stories that highlight why humane standards matter

Small actions can really add up.

Philadelphia is at its best when our community comes together. All dog lovers can and should stand on the same side of this issue. Humane treatment is a shared value.

By speaking up today, you help shape a future where every dog in our city is protected, cared for, and treated with dignity. You can take action here: https://acctphilly.org/takeaction/