Pets are an important part of many American households, with over 60% of U.S. families owning at least one pet. As such, laws and regulations surrounding pet ownership exist at both the federal and state levels across the country.
At the federal level, laws like the Animal Welfare Act set basic standards for humane care and treatment of animals. However, pet laws can vary significantly between different states and municipalities.
For example, some states like California and New York have extensive pet shop regulations, while other states like Mississippi and South Dakota do not. Licensing and registration rules for dogs and cats also differ by location. In California, all dogs over 4 months must be licensed, while New York requires licenses just for dogs in New York City. Leash laws are another area where state and local statutes can differ. In Texas, there is no statewide leash law, but individual cities and counties may enact their own. Other areas of variation include breeding regulations, anti-tethering rules, and vaccination requirements.