H.R. 8627 — Petfax Act of 2026

This section requires covered sellers to provide purchasers with specified information on the source and health history of covered dogs and cats before sale. Covered dogs and cats are those bred and raised by dealers licensed under section 3 of the Animal Welfare Act; covered sellers include dealers, retail pet stores, and other persons selling dogs or cats for compensation or profit (excluding public shelters and certain 501(c)(3) rescue organizations). The required disclosures include (1) the name, address, telephone number, and USDA license or registration number of the breeding dealer and each subsequent covered seller, along with the number of dogs and cats each such dealer bred and sold in the prior 2 years and a list of any Animal Welfare Act violations by those parties during that period; and (2) the animal’s date of birth, details of the most recent individual examination by a licensed veterinarian (or a statement that none occurred), a list of administered vaccines, and any known congenital deformities, diseases, disorders, or infectious conditions. This section further requires covered sellers to transmit the same information when transferring a covered dog or cat to another covered seller, mandates that certain nonprofit organizations disclose the source and amount of financial consideration paid when acquiring animals for resale or adoption, directs the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment specifying acceptable manners and methods of disclosure, and provides that the section does not preempt any State or local law.

This section prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices with respect to the sale of an animal for use as a pet. It makes it a violation for a covered seller to misrepresent the source of a dog or cat, including whether the animal was bred by or acquired from a high-volume breeder (i.e., a person required to be licensed as a dealer under the Animal Welfare Act, who keeps at least 4 breeding dogs or cats on premises, or who sells at least 25 dogs or cats bred on premises in a 1-year period). The section also deems a covered seller's failure to provide required information under section 2 a violation beginning 60 days after the Commission issues regulations, treats violations as unfair or deceptive acts enforceable by the Federal Trade Commission under the Federal Trade Commission Act, and preserves existing federal authority while prohibiting preemption of state or local laws.

This section modifies licensing requirements under the Animal Welfare Act for dealers of dogs or cats by adding a definition of immediate family member and prohibiting the issuance or renewal of licenses in specified circumstances. This section defines immediate family member to include a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, brother, sister, grandparent, or grandchild of a dealer, as well as the spouse or domestic partner of any such relative. This section prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing or renewing a dealer license for dogs or cats to (1) an immediate family member or person residing at the same address as a dealer whose license was suspended after notice and opportunity for hearing or revoked within the prior 10 years, if the license would cover a facility at a location previously used by that dealer; (2) certain legal entities if any owner previously held a license at the same address that was suspended or revoked within the prior 10 years; or (3) any person whose own dealer license was suspended or revoked within the prior 10 years, if the new license would cover a facility at a location previously used by that person. The prohibitions do not apply if the applicant demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the previously sanctioned dealer will have no ownership interest in, and play no role in the care or management of animals at, the facility. This section requires the Secretary to revoke any license issued in violation of these requirements. This section authorizes the Secretary to issue implementing regulations not later than 1 year after the date of enactment.