Legislation has been introduced in the Oklahoma House of Representatives – Government Oversight Committee that would strip cities and counties of their authority to regulate puppy mill retailers such as Petland. If passed, HB 4335 would force communities to accept the importation of puppy mill puppies, the sale of sick animals, deceptive sales practices, and even predatory lending schemes.
This bill has already passed out of committee and is now headed to the full House for a vote. It is critical that we act quickly to stop it before it advances any further.
We urgently call on the animal shelter and rescue community — along with animal advocates across Oklahoma — to contact your Oklahoma State Representative and ask them to OPPOSE HB 4335.
Local pet shop ordinances are designed to protect both animals and consumers. They help prevent disease outbreaks, reduce animal cruelty, curb impulse purchases, stop predatory lending practices, and limit increased costs to local shelters. Preemption bills like HB 4335 would take away local governments’ ability to enforce these protections while still leaving communities responsible for the consequences. In effect, the state would create the problem while local taxpayers are left to pay for it.
Please contact your State Representative today and urge them to vote NO on HB 4335.
Click here to find your State Representative.
Thank you for taking action to protect animals and families in Oklahoma.
Sample Email Below:
Subject: Please Vote NO on HB 4335 – Protect Local Control in Our Community
Dear Representative [Last Name],
I am writing as your constituent to urge you to vote NO on HB 4335 when it comes to the House floor as early as Monday, March 2, 2026. This bill would take away the ability of Oklahoma cities and counties to decide whether retail pet stores can operate in their own communities. That authority should remain with local governments—not with the state, and certainly not with out‑of‑state corporate pet retailers like Petland.
HB 4335 would block any future local ordinances that restrict retail pet sales, even in communities that are already overwhelmed with stray animals, shelter overcrowding, and repeated problems with commercial breeders. The bill requires three or more convictions within five years under the state’s commercial pet breeder law before a city can act—an almost impossible standard in a state where enforcement is already limited and many violations never result in prosecution.
HB 4335 does not protect consumers. It does not protect animals. It does not protect communities. It protects out‑of‑state corporate interests at the expense of local decision‑making and public safety.
Please stand with Oklahoma communities and vote NO on HB 4335.
Thank you for your service and for considering my concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City], Oklahoma [ZIP]
[Your Email or Phone, if desired]
