SB590: SB590 Animal Protection; protections for dogs possessed for breeding purposes; strengthen

Georgia law already regulates animal care generally, but this bill adds a new section specifically targeting dog breeders. It defines a 'dog breeder' as anyone who sells puppies bred by them, or who keeps more than four intact female dogs for breeding and selling their offspring. The bill requires breeders to provide adequate housing (enclosures big enough for a dog to lie down fully extended, with proper height and shelter from weather), veterinary care that meets professional standards, regular exercise suited to the breed, and rest between breeding cycles. It also caps the total number of dogs any person may possess for breeding and selling purposes at 30. The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not state a specific effective date beyond the standard process for new legislation.

• Creates a new legal definition of 'dog breeder' covering anyone who sells offspring they bred or who keeps more than four intact female dogs for breeding and sale.
• Requires breeders to provide enclosures large enough for a dog to lie down fully extended, at least six inches taller than the dog's head, and at least three times the dog's body length and width.
• Requires shelter that keeps dogs dry, shaded, and protected from wind, heat, and cold, banning open structures or tarp-only coverings as adequate shelter.
• Requires veterinary care meeting accepted professional standards, not care given mainly for the veterinarian's financial benefit.
• Requires regular exercise appropriate to the dog's breed and rest periods between breeding cycles.
• Caps the number of dogs any person may possess for breeding and selling purposes at 30 dogs total.

Commercial and hobby dog breeders in Georgia, including anyone who sells puppies or keeps more than four intact female breeding dogs, are directly affected by the new care standards and the 30-dog cap on breeding operations.

Breeders who currently keep dogs in smaller enclosures, without weatherproof shelter, or in numbers exceeding 30 would have to change their operations or reduce their dog populations, while dogs in commercial breeding facilities would gain specific, enforceable minimum living conditions.

• New Code Section 4-11-10.2(a) defines 'dog breeder' as someone who sells bred offspring or keeps more than four intact female dogs for breeding and sale.
• Subsection (b)(1) sets detailed enclosure size and shelter requirements, including protection from rain, snow, wind, heat, and cold.
• Subsection (b)(2) requires veterinary care meeting accepted professional standards and not driven by the veterinarian's economic benefit.
• Subsection (b)(3) and (4) require breed-appropriate exercise and rest between breeding cycles.
• Subsection (c) caps possession of dogs for breeding and sale purposes at 30 dogs, regardless of other provisions in the chapter.
• Section 2 repeals any existing state laws that conflict with these new requirements.

1. 2026-02-26Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-25Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)Primary sponsor
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Emanuel Jones (D, SD-010)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)

• animal welfare
• dog breeding regulations
• puppy mills
• pet care standards