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Stricter Pet Seller Licensing and Penalties

Full Title:
The Animal Care Amendment Act

Summary#

  • This bill updates Manitoba’s Animal Care Act. Its main goal is to protect animals and better control the sale and transfer of pets.

  • It creates a provincial licence for anyone who sells, gives away, or advertises certain pet animals. It also gives officials faster tools to act when someone has more animals than they can care for.

  • Key changes:

    • Requires a licence to sell, give away, or advertise pet animals (unless exempt by regulation).
    • Lets the director (the provincial official in charge) ask a judge for quick orders to limit how many animals a person can have and to rehome animals when needed.
    • Allows short-term “interim” orders, sometimes without advance notice, to protect animals while a case is heard.
    • Clarifies that inspectors cannot enter a home without consent or a warrant.
    • Sets fines up to $20,000 and up to 1 year in jail for a first offence, and up to $100,000 and up to 2 years for later offences; corporate directors can be held responsible.
    • Allows government to adopt care codes and standards into regulations and to publish a public registry of licence holders.

What it means for you#

  • Pet sellers, breeders, and pet stores

    • You will likely need a provincial licence to sell, give away, or advertise pet animals, including online, unless an exemption is set in regulation.
    • You must follow licence terms, keep records, file reports, pay fees, and display your licence as required.
    • The province may post licence holder information in a public registry.
    • The director can refuse, suspend, or cancel a licence. There is no appeal process in the Act.

  • Individuals rehoming pets

    • Giving away a litter or posting an ad to find a pet a home may require a licence unless you are exempted in the regulations.
    • Advertising a pet without the required licence would be illegal.

  • Pet owners

    • If you have more animals than you can properly care for, a judge can order limits on the number or type of animals you may keep (for up to three years).
    • A court can direct that animals be rehomed or returned to you with conditions (such as spay/neuter or medical care).
    • Inspectors cannot enter your home without your consent or a warrant.

  • Animal rescues and shelters

    • If you transfer pets to new homes, you may need a licence unless exempted by regulation.
    • The bill gives officials faster tools to secure animals at risk and to get urgent court orders.

  • Corporations and directors

    • Companies involved in pet sales must follow the Act. Corporate directors or officers can be charged if they allow violations.

  • Everyone

    • Some animal care rules may come from codes and standards the government adopts into regulation.
    • The law takes effect on a date set by the government; check for the proclamation and the detailed regulations.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

  • A licensing system helps stop irresponsible sellers and “puppy mill” operations and improves traceability.
  • Faster court orders protect animals in hoarding and neglect cases and reduce suffering.
  • Stronger fines and holding corporate leaders responsible will deter bad actors.
  • Requiring a warrant or consent to enter a home balances animal welfare with privacy rights.
  • Using recognized care codes lets the province keep standards current without rewriting the law each time.

Opponents' View#

  • Licensing may add fees and paperwork for small, responsible breeders and ordinary people trying to rehome pets.
  • Banning ads without a licence could make it harder to place animals or push activity out of sight.
  • There is no appeal right for licence refusals or suspensions in the Act, which could be unfair if mistakes happen.
  • Interim orders without notice and quick timelines may limit an owner’s chance to respond; giving the Crown ownership of animals can feel extreme.
  • A public registry of licence holders could raise privacy or safety concerns.
  • The bill may require new enforcement resources, but the cost and capacity needs are not clear.