HB331: HB331 Animals; prohibit transfer of certain domestic animals at certain locations

Georgia law does not currently restrict where people can sell or give away dogs, cats, or rabbits in exchange for money or other value. This bill adds a new section to the state's animal protection law (O.C.G.A. Title 4, Chapter 11) making it illegal to transfer these animals for consideration at roadsides, public rights of way, parking lots, sidewalks, parks, fairs, flea markets, or similar outdoor or transient locations. The ban does not apply to licensed animal shelters, transfers at a residence or inside a veterinarian's office or business, transfers by paid entrants at sanctioned breed shows or 4-H events, or prearranged sales between a specific buyer and seller that happen at a police or sheriff's office during daylight hours. Animal control officers and law enforcement can enforce the law and impound animals involved in violations. Fines rise with repeat offenses, and the bill also updates the general penalty section (O.C.G.A. § 4-11-16) to note this new, separate fine structure.

• Creates a new law (O.C.G.A. § 4-11-10.1) banning the sale, trade, or rehoming of dogs, cats, or domestic rabbits for money or other value at roadsides, parking lots, parks, fairs, and flea markets.
• Defines 'consideration' broadly to include cash, credit, services, or any property exchanged in a sale, adoption, lease, trade, or barter.
• Exempts licensed animal shelters, transfers at a residence or veterinarian's office, sanctioned breed or agricultural shows, and prearranged sales completed at police or sheriff facilities during daylight hours.
• Authorizes animal control officers and law enforcement to enforce the ban and to impound animals involved in an illegal transfer.
• Sets escalating fines: up to $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third or later offense.
• Updates the existing general penalty statute (O.C.G.A. § 4-11-16) to carve out this new offense from the standard misdemeanor penalty.

People who sell, give away, or trade dogs, cats, or rabbits informally in public spaces, including roadside and flea market sellers, backyard breeders, and rescue groups; animal shelters, veterinarians, 4-H and breed club event organizers, and local animal control officers and police who would enforce the new rules.

Georgians who buy or rehome pets at flea markets, parking lots, or roadside stands would need to use a different setting, such as a home, vet office, licensed shelter, or a sanctioned event, or risk fines and having the animal impounded. Sellers using licensed shelters or private locations are unaffected.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 4-11-10.1, defining 'consideration' and 'transfer' and banning transfers of dogs, cats, or domestic rabbits for value at listed public and transient locations.
• Subsection (c) lists four exceptions: licensed animal shelters, residences or vet/business locations, sanctioned breed or agricultural events, and prearranged sales at law enforcement facilities in daylight.
• Subsection (d) authorizes animal control officers and peace officers to enforce the law and impound animals involved in violations.
• Subsection (e) sets fines of up to $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third or subsequent offense.
• Section 2 revises the general penalty statute (O.C.G.A. § 4-11-16) to exclude this new offense from the standard misdemeanor punishment and corporate fine structure.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-09Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-05-09Act 81
3. 2025-05-09House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-21Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-21Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2025-03-18Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2025-03-13Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Beth Camp (R, HD-135)Primary sponsor
• Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)
• Joseph Gullett (R, HD-019)
• Mike Cameron (R, HD-001)
• Kimberly New (R, HD-040)
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 6, 2025

   161 yea, 13 nay (3 not voting, 3 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #227

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 21, 2025

   53 yea, 1 nay (1 not voting, 1 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #270

• animal welfare
• pet sales
• flea markets
• animal control
• consumer protection