Today, the Pennsylvania Senate concurred on amendments to address concerns about boarding out-of-state dogs in the Commonwealth. The bill now goes to Governor Josh Shapiro.
Prior to final passage of Senate Bill 82, Representative John Lawrence (Dist. 13, Chester County) sponsored an amendment unanimously by adopted House that simply states that a CVI is not required if the dog will remain in the boarding kennel for 30 days or less.
The final version of Senate Bill 82 also addresses concerns raised by breed rescues and other kennels regarding quarantine requirements for out-of-state dogs and provides alternatives to some of the requirements in the Pennsylvania Dog Law.
AKC thanks the lawmakers and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture who took the time to meet with us to discuss our concerns and work for solutions that are in the best interest of dogs and responsible dog owners. We also thank the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs, club members, and handlers who took the time to contact their lawmakers about this issue.
What you can do:
Those who may travel to Pennsylvania (or have friends and family that do), or are otherwise impacted by changes in the bill are encouraged to do the following:
Contact Governor Shapiro and ask that he sign the legislation. (Use the link provided to send a message to his office)
Thank Representative John Lawernce for sponsoring the amendment to remove the CVI requirement for out-of-state dogs staying in boarding kennels for 30 days or less:
Capitol Office: (717) 260-6117
West Grove District Office: (610) 869-1602
https://www.replawrence.com/Contact
Background:
Recent changes to Pennsylvania’s Dog Law (Act 18 of 2023) requires a certified certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) from a dog’s home state in order to be boarded in Pennsylvania licensed boarding kennel.
As stated in a prior AKC alert, Senate Bill 82 previously contained language to provide for an exemption from the CVI requirement for out of state dogs entering a boarding kennel that met ALL of the following requirements:
(i) The dog has been boarded at the kennel within the previous 60 days.
(ii) The dog is privately owned.
(iii) Ownership of the dog does not transfer to another person after the dog enters the boarding kennel.
AKC appreciated this language, but emphasized it did not address those who would need to unexpectedly board their dog for even one day in Pennsylvania. The amendment ultimately adopted by the General Assembly puts the exemption for out-state dogs entering a boarding kennel for less than 30 days in line with the 30-day exemption that already exists in law for dogs entering the Commonwealth temporarily for less than 30 days found in Section 212 of Pennsylvania Dog Law.
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or email doglaw@akc.org.
AKC GR and our partner the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs will continue to monitor this and other legislation the impact the rights of dog owners and the dogs they love.