On National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, Ross, Buchanan Introduce “Petfax” Bill to Address Unregulated Inhumane Puppy Mills

Washington, D.C. - Today, on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16) introduced the bipartisan Petfax Act to increase transparency in the pet adoption process. The bill would require that prospective pet owners be provided with a "Petfax" report detailing the conditions in which the animal was bred and raised. In addition, the Petfax Act would establish stricter criteria for obtaining and maintaining licenses to sell pets, helping to ensure that only legitimate and responsible sellers are allowed to operate in the industry.

Experts estimate that there are at least 10,000 puppy mills operating in the United States, many of which are unregulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These inhumane commercial dog breeding facilities may sell animals in pet stores or online without disclosing critical information about a dog's history or health problems to potential adopters. By requiring disclosure of the history and health of animals to buyers, the Petfax Act will strengthen transparency and accountability among breeders and sellers to promote better treatment and breeding practices.

"Dog lovers across the country are unknowingly subsidizing bad breeders who mistreat animals because they don't have access to the basic facts they need to make informed decisions," said Congresswoman Ross. "Congress needs to step in to ensure that adopters aren't kept in the dark about the history and breeding of their animals. The Petfax Act will require that prospective pet owners receive essential information about their new family members, a step that will promote greater transparency and more responsible practices in the industry. As a proud dog owner, I remain committed to creating a future where every pet finds a loving home through ethical and informed choices."

"When you buy a car, you get a Carfax report detailing its full history. Adopting a pet should be no different," said Buchanan. "Families across America deserve transparency when bringing a new pet into their home, and breeders should be held to a basic standard of accountability. The Petfax Act gives consumers the facts they need to make informed decisions and cracks down on inhumane puppy and kitten mills. As co-chair of the Animal Protection Caucus, I am proud to once again partner with Congresswoman Ross on this commonsense, bipartisan legislation."

Bill text is available here.

Permalink: https://ross.house.gov/2026/4/on-national-adopt-a-shelter-pet-day-ross-buchanan-introduce-petfax-bill-to-address-unregulated-inhumane-puppy-mills