04/24/2025
Apologies for the long post! But it is very important and time sensitive. We need to get this out to as many people as possible!!
the read this and reach out your state representatives and express your support for Amendment #809 to H4000, a budget amendment filed by Representative Mark Sylvia of Fairhaven.
Share with friends and other area daycares. The more of us shouting that no dog should die before we change this! I have been told in an email from MDAR that is what it will take to change this law and that is just simply UNACCEPTABLE! Ollie's law was meant to protect our best friends and Ollie's death is a tragedy that no dog or pet parent should have to experience.
This amendment aims to improve dog safety in kennel and daycare environments and will be debated during the week of April 28 as part of the Massachusetts House budget. Your voice can make a difference.
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Why This Amendment Matters for Your Dog’s Safety
As many of you know, with the passage of Ollie’s Law, a previously unenforced state law was activated requiring dogs in commercial daycares and kennels to wear collars with attached rabies and town license tags. However, many experts in canine safety agree that collars in group play settings can pose significant risks. For example, during play, dogs can get their jaws caught in another dog’s collar, leading to serious injuries. Below are a few sources highlighting the dangers of collars in group environments:
Nottingham Trent University (May 4, 2020) – Study on collar-related neck injuries
Animal Behavior College – The Hidden Danger Behind Dog Collars
PetMD (Jan 16, 2018) – 5 Ways Collars Can Harm Your Dog
If you have the stomach, watch the countless terrible videos on YouTube
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What Amendment #809 Does
This amendment provides a practical, safety-oriented solution for daycare and kennel operators concerned about the risks associated with collars and metal tags.
Under this amendment:
• Operators may use their discretion to determine whether dogs must wear collars with tags while onsite.
• If proof of rabies vaccination and municipal licensure (via certificate, electronic record, or another verifiable method) is accessible onsite, and the dog has an alternative form of identification (such as a microchip or tattoo), the dog would not be required to wear metal tags on a collar - therefore eliminating the need to wear a collar.
• The facility must have access to a microchip reader capable of reading common formats if microchips are used.
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How This Effort Came Together
There is a great deal of concern among commercial daycare and kennel operators, as well as many Animal Control Officers, about the safety issue of collars in group play. In response, Ollie’s Law Coalition members— Jeni Dwyer Mather (JM Pet Resort & Veterinary Clinic), Kara Holmquist (MSPCA), and Jeremy Cohen (Boston Dog Lawyers)—collaborated to draft and advocate for the language in Amendment #809.
They also connected with committed business owners across the state, including Johnelle Ciano (Emma Marie’s Grooming and Daycare), Sara Noonan (Harbor Hounds), Dorothy Held (Town Dog), and Laura Donnell (The Common Dog). Their insights helped strengthen the final version of the amendment.
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Amendment #809 – Legislative Language
Title: Updating Laws Relating to Dog Tag Requirements and Identification Methods
Proposed by: Rep. Sylvia of Fairhaven
Sections to be added:
SECTION 28A. Subsection (c) of section 137 of chapter 140 is amended to allow licensed kennels to forego requiring a dog to wear a physical tag, provided the dog has alternative identification (e.g., microchip or tattoo) and proof of licensure is accessible onsite. A microchip reader capable of reading common formats must be available if microchips are used.
SECTION 28B. Subsection (b) of section 145B is similarly amended to reflect the same allowances and requirements regarding identification and documentation.
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How You Can Help
The House will begin debating the bill the week of April 28, with discussions typically lasting 3–4 days—your timely action is essential.
Please:
• Contact your State Representative and ask them to support and co-sponsor Amendment #809.
• Your letter or email can be as simple as "I support Amendment #809 which updates Laws Relating to Dog Tag Requirements and Identification Methods."
• Use this link to find your legislator: Find Your Representative
Looking Ahead: In May, the Senate will draft its own version of the budget. A conference committee will then reconcile both versions to create the final FY26 budget.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your support—this means so much to all of us!
Warm regards,
Sarah Quigley CVT
The Social Pup
PS Now, Lowell has been very supportive but not every business is so lucky in Massachusetts, some other daycares and kennels risk being shut down due to their stance on collars. This is a hill myself and many colleagues are willing to die on.
I have written to our state Reps in Lowell. State Representative Vanna Howard Tara Hong for State Rep State Representative Rodney Elliott The Sun News
