Beginning January 1, 2026, three new California laws significantly impact how dogs may be sold to California buyers — whether the breeder is located in-state or out-of-state.
AB 506 eliminates nonrefundable deposits in pet sale contracts, shifting financial risk entirely to the breeder.
SB 312 requires health certificates to be issued and submitted to the state before a dog enters California, adding stricter timing and documentation requirements.
AB 519 restricts third-party “pet broker” sales models, reinforcing direct breeder-to-buyer transparency.
Together, these laws aim to strengthen consumer protection and traceability — but they also introduce real operational challenges for ethical breeders. At Stokeshire, we’ve adapted our contracts, timelines, and processes to remain compliant while continuing to serve California families. Below, we break down what each law means in practice and how breeders can adjust responsibly.
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