§ 122365

For purposes of this chapter, all of the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Animal rescue group” means any not-for-profit organization that has tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, whose mission and practice is, in whole or significant part, the rescue and placement of animals into permanent homes, and that meets both of the following:

(1) Does not breed animals.

(2) Does not obtain animals in exchange for payment or compensation from any person that breeds or brokers animals.

(b) “Broker” means a person or business that sells, arranges, negotiates, or processes, either in person or online, the sale of dogs, cats, or rabbits bred by another for profit. This includes facilitating the transfer of a dog, cat, or rabbit for profit.

(c) “Public animal control agency or shelter” means any facility operated by or under contract with any governmental entity for the purpose of impounding or harboring seized, stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted dogs, cats, rabbits, or other animals.

(Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. (AB 519) Effective January 1, 2026.)