New California laws against puppy mills explained

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Governor Gavin Newsom has signed three new laws aimed at protecting cats and dogs from unethical treatment in California.

The newly signed legislation is designed to shut down fraudulent breeders and curb animal abuse in pet sales, providing relief to local shelters and animals awaiting adoption.

Just this week, the San Diego Humane Society reported a record-breaking number of dogs and cats at its four shelters, with some operating at 250% capacity.

The new laws are expected to halt the import of sick and cruelly bred puppies into California, addressing the puppy mill problem.

Officials have noted that pets from unethical breeding practices often suffer from health and behavior issues due to poor genetics and unsanitary conditions.

A spokesperson from the humane society highlighted the importance of adoption, noting the impact on shelters when consumers choose breeders over adopting.

Until Oct. 15, all adult dogs and cats are available for adoption at a reduced fee of $50 at the San Diego Humane Society.

The new laws, set to take effect in January 2026, aim to significantly reduce the unethical treatment of animals in California, offering hope for improved conditions in animal shelters.

FOX 5's Elizabeth Alvarez contributed to this report.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KSWB. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KSWB staff before being published.