A practical, breeder-first guide to California’s new puppy sale and importation laws.
Created by Stokeshire Designer Doodles, a program that actively sells puppies to California families and has adapted its operations to meet California’s 2026 legal requirements.

What this checklist is

California’s 2026 laws have introduced major changes for dog breeders — especially those who sell to California residents or transport puppies into the state.

This checklist is a clear, actionable compliance guide designed to help ethical breeders:

• Understand what changed

• Update contracts and processes correctly

• Avoid common compliance mistakes

• Protect their program, reputation, and buyers

No fear-mongering. No legal jargon overload. Just practical guidance.

What’s included

✔ Contracts & Deposits (AB 506)

• How to remove nonrefundable deposit language

• How to structure refundable deposits responsibly

• How to separate application or evaluation fees from purchase funds

• Website, invoice, and checkout language reminders

✔ Buyer Disclosures (AB 506)

• What original information must be disclosed

• What health and veterinary records should be provided

• How to disclose known (or unknown) genetic or congenital conditions

• How to document disclosures properly

✔ Importation & Health Certificates (SB 312)

• CVI timing requirements (10-day rule)

• Vet coordination checklist

• Electronic submission to CDFA

• Buyer copy requirements

• Transport planning safeguards

✔ Sales Channels (AB 519)

• What qualifies as a prohibited “broker” model

• Best practices for direct-to-buyer sales

• Transparency and traceability guidance

✔ Recordkeeping Best Practices

• What documents to retain

• How to organize California-specific transactions

• Simple compliance folder structure

Who this checklist is for

• ✔ California-based dog breeders

• ✔ Out-of-state breeders selling puppies to California residents

• ✔ Ethical breeders who want clarity — not loopholes

• ✔ Programs that value transparency and buyer trust

This checklist is not intended for high-volume broker pipelines or anonymous resale models.

Why Stokeshire created this

At Stokeshire, we regularly work with California families. Rather than avoiding the state, we chose to adapt responsibly and document what actually works in practice.

We created this checklist to:

• Support ethical breeders

• Reduce misinformation

• Encourage transparency

• Help buyers and breeders align expectations

We believe regulation is moving in this direction nationally — California is simply ahead of the curve.

How to use it

• Audit your current contracts and policies

• Update your sales workflow before accepting California buyers

• Share internally with staff or partners

• Reference it when communicating with California families

Many breeders choose to pair this checklist with:

• A California-specific contract addendum

• A standardized disclosure packet

• A CVI scheduling workflow

Format

• ✔ Downloadable PDF

Disclaimer

This checklist is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Breeders should consult legal counsel or regulatory authorities for guidance specific to their operations.