New California Pet Laws Taking Effect January 1

California’s new pet laws for 2026 take effect January 1 and hit four areas at once: a statewide ban on non-therapeutic cat declawing, a prohibition on third-party pet brokers, stronger protections for pet buyers, and new reporting rules for anyone importing dogs into the state. Several laws from 2024 still shape day-to-day pet care, including veterinary telehealth, pet-friendly emergency shelters, and pet insurance disclosures.

Statewide Cat Declawing Ban

Under AB 867, only a licensed veterinarian may declaw a cat in California, and only when the procedure is medically necessary for the cat’s health, such as treating disease or a traumatic injury.¹ Cosmetic or behavioral declawing is no longer legal anywhere in the state.

Several California cities had already banned the practice locally. AB 867 makes the prohibition uniform statewide, so if a veterinarian recommends declawing to address scratching furniture or a similar behavior, that is no longer a lawful option.

Pet Broker Ban and Sales Protections

Three bills tighten how pets are bought and sold in California starting January 1, 2026.

AB 519 prohibits third-party sellers from reselling dogs, cats, and rabbits that were bred by someone else for profit. You can still buy directly from a breeder or adopt from a shelter, humane society, or rescue, but online pet brokers who sit between the breeder and the buyer are out.¹

AB 506 voids sales contracts for dogs under one year, cats, and rabbits when the seller demands a non-refundable deposit or fails to disclose the animal’s original source before collecting that deposit. A seller who violates the rule has 30 days to return the buyer’s money.¹

SB 312 requires dog importers to submit health certificates electronically to the California Department of Food and Agriculture within 10 days of shipment, and those certificates must be made available to the public on request.¹

The practical effect is that you should expect to know exactly where a puppy, kitten, or rabbit came from before any money changes hands. If a seller resists telling you, that itself is now a legal issue in California, not just a red flag.

Veterinary Telehealth Rules Still Apply

Since January 1, 2024, California veterinarians have been able to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) through a live video call rather than an in-person exam. The authority comes from AB 1399, and the mechanics are worth knowing because they govern every virtual appointment you take.²

A VCPR cannot be established through audio-only calls or written questionnaires alone, and only a veterinarian licensed in California can practice telehealth on an animal in the state. The Veterinary Medical Board recommends the vet confirm the animal is in California at the time of the session.³

Consent Before the Visit

Before a telehealth session begins, the vet must obtain your consent covering three acknowledgments: that the same standard of care applies as to an in-person visit, that you can choose an in-person visit at any time, and that you have been told how to get follow-up or emergency care if the technology fails or your pet has an adverse reaction.² The veterinarian must also be familiar with emergency resources near your animal’s location and able to provide a list of nearby vets who could see the animal in person.

After the First Visit

Once the VCPR exists, follow-up contact does not have to be on video. The statute does not require synchronous audio-video for ongoing telehealth care after the relationship is established, unless the veterinarian determines it is necessary to meet the prevailing standard of care.² A quick phone check-in might work for a medication refill; a new symptom likely requires video again. Records must still be kept, and a record summary made available to you.

Prescriptions

If a telehealth visit results in a prescription, the vet must offer you a written prescription and tell you that you can fill it at the pharmacy of your choice rather than buying the medication from the veterinary practice.³ Controlled substances are a separate question governed by federal law. The DEA has extended COVID-era telemedicine flexibilities that allow prescriptions for Schedule II through V medications without a prior in-person visit, but only through December 31, 2026. If your pet needs a controlled medication through telehealth, ask the vet whether current federal rules cover your situation.

Pet-Friendly Emergency Shelters

AB 781, in effect since January 1, 2024, requires that whenever a county or city designates emergency shelters, it must also designate at least one shelter able to accommodate people with their pets.⁴

The same requirement extends to cooling and warming centers. When a city or county designates them, it must also designate at least one of each type that can take pets, to the extent practicable. Public information about available cooling or warming centers must say whether the center can accommodate pets.⁴ If you are planning for wildfire or heatwave evacuations, check your county’s emergency plan for the specific locations that accept animals.

Pet Insurance Disclosures and Renewal Rules

SB 1217, signed in September 2024, rewrote California’s pet insurance rules around two problems: unclear policy terms at the point of sale, and unfair treatment at renewal.⁵

What the Insurer Must Tell You Before the Sale

Before selling a policy, the insurer must disclose whether coverage excludes pre-existing conditions, hereditary disorders, congenital conditions, and chronic conditions. It must also disclose waiting periods, deductibles, coinsurance, and annual or lifetime limits.⁶

The insurer must tell you upfront whether it will reduce coverage or raise premiums based on your claim history, your pet’s age, or a change in where you live. If payouts are calculated from a benefit schedule or a “usual and customary fee” formula, that too must be disclosed before the sale. All of these items are compiled into a single document titled “Insurer Disclosure of Important Policy Provisions” that comes with the policy.⁶

Renewal and the Free-Look Period

A condition that was covered during your policy term cannot be reclassified as a pre-existing condition at renewal. The insurer cannot impose a new waiting period on renewed coverage, and it cannot require a veterinary examination as a condition of renewal. New policyholders also get at least a 30-day free-look window: if the coverage is not what you expected, return the policy within that window for a full refund of premiums and policy fees.⁶

One Deadline to Watch

The DEA’s temporary telemedicine flexibilities for controlled-substance prescriptions expire at the end of 2026, and permanent rules have not been finalized. If those flexibilities lapse without replacement, veterinarians who prescribe controlled pain or anxiety medications via telehealth could face significant new restrictions. If your pet relies on a controlled medication managed through virtual visits, confirm with your vet how refills will work past that date.

1
Governor of California. NEW IN 2026: California Laws Taking Effect in the New Year
2
California Legislative Information. California Business and Professions Code 4826.6
3
Veterinary Medical Board. AB 1399 Frequently Asked Questions
4
California Legislative Information. AB 781 – Accessibility to Emergency Information and Services: Emergency Shelters: Persons With Pets
5
Governor of California. Governor Newsom Signs Pet Insurance Reform Bill, Takes Action to Support Animals and Pets
6
California Legislative Information. SB 1217 – Pet Insurance