The PA law governing the practice of veterinary medicine in the Commonwealth.

Read More

The rules and regulations further defining the intentions of the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act including licensure requirements, record keeping rationale, etc.

Read More

The provisions issued under the Rabies Prevention and Control in Domestic Animals and Wildlife Act.

Read More

During the 2013-2014 legislative session, PVMA advocated on your behalf as 5 separate legislative proposals made their way through the legislative process related to different versions of proposed prescription drug monitoring programs.

Of the 5 legislative bills related to this issue, 4 of them would have required veterinarians to report as a dispenser and/or prescriber under the program. However, PVMA worked diligently with Senator Patricia Vance and her staff to develop a bill that would exempt veterinarians from this arduous process that which would have cost veterinary practices unnecessary time and money to put measures in place to track the required information – much of which is not information easily or regularly gathered by practices about their clients. Thanks to the excellent work of Senator Vance and PVMA, the bill exempting veterinarians was the one that was passed into law as Act 191 of 2014 on October 27, 2014.

According to Act 191, a dispenser is a person licensed to dispense in this Commonwealth, including mail order and internet sales of pharmaceuticals.

This term does not include any of the following:

1. A licensed health care facility that distributes the controlled substance for the purpose of administration in the licensed health care facility.
2. A correctional facility or its contractors if the confined person cannot lawfully visit a prescriber outside the correctional facility without being escorted by a corrections officer.
3. An authorized person who administers a controlled substance, other drug or device.
4. A wholesale distributor of a controlled substance.
5. A licensed provider in the LIFE program.
6. A provider of hospice as defined in the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act.
7. A prescriber at a licensed health care facility if the quantity of controlled substances dispensed is limited to an amount adequate to treat the patient for a maximum of five days and does not allow for a refill.
8. A veterinarian.

According to Act 191 of 2014, a prescriber is a person who is licensed, registered or otherwise lawfully authorized to distribute, dispense or administer a controlled substance, other drug or device in the course of professional practice or research in this Commonwealth. The term does not include a veterinarian.

Read More

The statutory requirements of the Dog Law Act necessitate that all veterinarians who board a dog, regardless of whether the boarder is a client or not, must have a kennel license.

Pursuant to section 3 P.S. § 459-102 – Definitions:

• “Kennel.” Any establishment in or through which at least 26 dogs are kept or transferred in a calendar year, or a boarding kennel as defined in this act.
• “Boarding kennel.” Any establishment available to the general public where a dog or dogs are housed for
  compensation by the day, week or a specified or unspecified time. The term shall not include a kennel where the practice of veterinary medicine is performed if the kennel is covered by the provisions of the act of December 27, 1974 (P.L.995, No.326), known as the “Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.” The term shall include any boarding facility operated by a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine whether or not this facility is on the same premises as a building or structure subject to the provisions of the “Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.” 3 P.S. § 459-102 (emphasis added). The term shall include any establishment available to the general public that, for consideration, takes control of a dog from the owner for a portion of a day for the purposes of exercise, day care or entertainment of the dog. For the purpose of this term, each time a dog enters the kennel it shall be counted as one dog. This term does not include an establishment engaged only in dog grooming or dog training.”

Furthermore, pursuant to section 3 P.S. § 459-207(a.1)(1) – Requirements for kennels, “It shall be unlawful for kennels described under section 206 to operate without first obtaining a kennel license from the department.” 3 P.S. §459-207(a.1)(1)

Please be advised that a violation of operating a kennel without a license may result in a citation which carries
a maximum fine of $500.

Please contact Kristen Donmoyer, Director at Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, at 717-787-3062 if you have any questions regarding this information.

Read More

Act 119, the new dog law, was signed into law by Governor Rendell on October 8, 2008. This legislation was enacted to help Pennsylvania to rid its reputation as the “Puppy Mill Capitol of the East.” The updated law is designed to greatly improve the treatment dogs receive while in commercial kennels. Now, dogs will benefit from larger cage sizes without wire flooring, mandatory exercise periods, and care by a trained veterinarian. The Canine Health Board was also established by Act 119 of 2008 to develop guidelines for commercial dog kennels in Pennsylvania.

View Bill

Title 18 constitutes the Pennsylvania anti-cruelty provisions. The section distinguishes between misdemeanor and felony cruelty and the type of animal involved.

View Statutes

excerpt from PA Department of Agriculture

In an effort to ensure that consumers buying a dog in Pennsylvania know their new pet has a clean bill of health, Pennsylvania’s dog sellers and breeders must now post a visible notice that informs consumers of their rights under the state’s Dog Purchaser Protection Act, also known as the “Puppy Lemon Law.” Sellers and breeders must also provide a written copy of the consumer’s rights at the time of the sale.

For more information on Pennsylvania’s “Puppy Lemon Law,” or to file a complaint, visit the Office of the Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection.

You can complete the PA Department of Agriculture’s online dog license application to get your dog licensed.

Complete Form