Philadelphia City Council has passed legislation that would establish a temporary moratorium on the unlicensed breeding, sale and transfer of puppies within city limits.

The bill, introduced by 8th District Councilmember Cindy Bass, is in response to an increase in stray and abandoned dogs, overcrowding at the city’s animal shelter, and growing public health and safety concerns, according to Bass’ office. The moratorium, she said in a news release, is a temporary measure designed to stabilize shelter intake while the Council considers longer-term regulatory solutions.

Passed in February, it awaits Mayor Cherelle Parker’s signature, but is opposed by the American Kennel Club, which says that “a closer look reveals this bill targets the wrong people — and ignores the root causes of the underlying problem.”

“This bill is about responsibility, compassion, and common sense,” Bass said. “Philadelphia’s animal shelter system is under real strain, and unregulated breeding has contributed to overcrowding, abandonment and public safety risks. Bill 250989 gives our city the breathing room it needs to protect animals, support responsible pet ownership, and safeguard our neighborhoods, while we work toward sustainable, long-term solutions.”

Bass said the legislation “does not target responsible, licensed operations or rescues. It focuses on unregulated activity that has overwhelmed our shelter system and put animals and people at risk.”

In a news release, the American Kennel Club said the legislation “does little to address the true drivers of shelter crowding: irresponsible ownership, lack of access to affordable spay/neuter services, dog abandonment related to housing restrictions, and inadequate enforcement of existing animal-control laws. These issues require thoughtful, targeted interventions — not a blanket ban that punishes the compliant while emboldening the noncompliant.”

The bill pauses unregulated puppy breeding and sales by individuals and entities without a valid Pennsylvania kennel license, while preserving exemptions for licensed kennels, nonprofit rescues, and service-related programs. It also strengthens transparency requirements for advertising puppy sales and provides enforcement tools to address evasive practices.

If enacted, the ordinance will take effect 90 days after passage and will remain in place for 36 months unless renewed by City Council following a public review of shelter capacity, enforcement data and public health impacts.