Massachusetts
A new MA law will protect animals at boarding facilities. What to know about it
See video as Paws on Post kennel opens on Fort Liberty
Fort Liberty on Tuesday opened its first pet kennel, Paws on Post, which serves as a daycare and overnight boarding for dogs and cats.
New regulations are coming for pet kennel, in a move legislators are touting will increase pet safety.
Gov. Maura Healey and Lieutenant Gov. Kim Driscoll signed Ollie’s law on Oct. 10, which is meant to bring oversight to the kennel industry in Massachusetts.
The legislation is the result of four years of effort from Amy Baxter, the dog mom of labradoodle Ollie. In 2020, Ollie sustained serious injuries in a dog fight while staying at a doggy daycare and died from complications soon after. Baxter has fought since then for more animal protection. The law is now named “Ollie’s Law” after her dog.
“For far too long, Massachusetts lacked oversight of our animal daycare facilities, and our pets paid the cost for that inaction,” said Driscoll in a press release. “Now, pet facilities across Massachusetts will begin adhering to a higher standard to make sure our pets are properly cared for and come home happy and healthy to their families.”
Fashion for furry friends: Dog Crocs for pets of all sizes coming soon: When to buy, price
What is Ollie’s Law?
Ollie’s Law updates licensure and regulation of kennels and other pet boarding facilities.
Specifically, under Ollie’s Law, all kennels and their individual dogs must be licensed, and all kennels must have an established limit of the number of animals that can be housed according to accommodations and staff availability.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will provide all kennels with detailed operational and safety regulations, to be enforced by municipalities.