Plain English Breakdown
The official text does not specify an effective date beyond the January 1, 2026 start for contract provisions; it only notes the bill was chaptered in October 2025.
New Rules for Selling Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits in California
Starting January 1, 2026, contracts to sell dogs, cats, or rabbits that require nonrefundable deposits are invalid if the buyer is in California, sellers must share medical history and source information, and buyers can sue for refunds.
What This Bill Does
- Makes a contract void if it requires a nonrefundable deposit when selling a dog, cat, or rabbit on or after January 1, 2026, to a buyer located in California.
- Requires sellers to tell buyers where the animal originally came from and share its medical information before selling.
- Allows courts to order refunds of money paid under an invalid contract within 30 days of notice, without requiring the buyer to return the animal.
- Permits buyers who break these rules to sue for their money back, plus court costs and attorney fees if they win.
- Authorizes state and local prosecutors to take legal action against businesses that violate the law.
Who It Names or Affects
- People or businesses selling dogs, cats, or rabbits in California
- Buyers of these animals located in California
Terms To Know
- Void contract
- An agreement that the law says is not valid and cannot be enforced.
- Nonrefundable deposit
- Money paid upfront to reserve an animal that the seller keeps even if the sale does not happen.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law does not apply to public animal control agencies or shelters.
- Rules do not limit contracts for transferring guide dogs, signal dogs, or service animals.
- Contracts involving governmental agencies are exempt from these new restrictions.