BOSTON — Today, Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, along with state legislators and animal advocacy groups, ceremonially signed H4919, the Improving Kennel Safety Act, also known as O’Ree’s Law. This law updates the licensing and regulation of kennels and other pet accommodations to keep protected animals safe.
The law was inspired by the story of Ollie and his mother Amy Baxter. In 2020, Amy received the horrifying news that her seven-month-old Labradoodle, Ollie, had been injured in a fight while staying at a doggie daycare center. He was seriously injured and had to remain in the hospital, requiring 24-hour care and surgery. Sadly, Ollie passed away two months later from his injuries.
“No pet owner wants to get the call that their beloved pet has been injured while in the kennel. Ollie’s death was preventable. We are standing up to prevent this from happening to any more pets. I am inspired by the perseverance of Amy Baxter and other pet owners,” Governor Healey said. “Here in Massachusetts, we pride ourselves on being leaders in animal welfare, but we have fallen behind when it comes to kennel supervision. To keep our furry friends safe, , I am proud to sign this bill that improves regulatory and licensing requirements for boarding and child care facilities.”
“For too long, Massachusetts has lacked oversight of animal day care facilities, and pets have paid the price for that inaction,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “Now, pet facilities across Massachusetts will begin adhering to higher standards to ensure pets are properly cared for and return home to their families happy and healthy.”
“Ollie was a beautiful, innocent puppy whose life was tragically cut short by the careless actions of an unlicensed dog daycare facility,” said Ollie’s owner, Amy Baxter. “Ollie’s Law is a meaningful and impactful way for the kennel industry to ensure that no animal, and no family, has to suffer as Ollie and our family did after this devastating and preventable tragedy.” It is the culmination of nearly four years of work to create a regulation. As the fourth anniversary of Ollie’s death approaches, my daughter and I continue to mourn him. Nothing can alleviate the pain and suffering he endured. “No, but this legislation will allow Olly to leave a legacy of healing by helping and protecting other animals.”
“This heartbreaking tragedy has taught us a valuable lesson about the importance of ensuring the safety of beloved pets in animal day care facilities,” said MDAR Director Rundle. “Our administration is taking the initiative to prevent such senseless losses in the future. By strengthening kennel licensing and regulation, we are encouraging pet owners to keep their furry friends safe. It gives them peace of mind that they will be able to meet again.”
The legislation aims to improve animal safety across the state by updating the kennel licensing system in Massachusetts, which previously lacked state oversight of day care and boarding facilities. All kennels must be licensed and all dogs must be individually licensed. It also calls for municipalities to set limits on the number of animals that can be housed in kennels, based on accommodation and available staff.
The law also requires cities and towns to issue licenses for all types of dog kennels as defined by current law and requires all kennels to obtain an operating license. Local governments are responsible for ensuring law enforcement. Boarding and training kennels are required to report all injuries to people or animals to local licensing authorities. MDAR, which helped draft the bill, would be required to adopt detailed operational and safety regulations with the assistance of an advisory committee. ”-Mass.gv.
