On September 20th, 2024, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts signed the Act to Increase Kennel Safety Bill (AKA Ollie’s Law). The law took effect on December 19th, 2024, and affects Paw Plaza as well as all daycare and boarding facilities across the state.
This law dictates that Paw Plaza will now require an up-to-date Rabies vaccination certificate be kept on file. Whereas previously we would have accepted a Rabies vaccine confirmation from a veterinarian, with only the date that the vaccine was administered and when it is set to expire.
The state already requires that all dogs over six months of age be licensed with their respective city or town. Now with this new legislation, Paw Plaza will require a record of a valid dog registration/license for all clientele in our care.
Additionally, because of Ollie’s Law a Rabies tag and an inscribed Municipal dog tag must be on a dog’s collar while at Paw Plaza. While we do not require the collar to be worn when in our facility, we recommend that the collar/leash remain onsite. Paw Plaza offers hooks for leashes/collars at our entrance in the foyer area.
Paw Plaza respectfully asks that our patrons please be patient with us, as we navigate upcoming information from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) regarding Ollie’s Law. In the interim, it is our goal to ramp up receiving and recording the required documentation to be compliant.
Please find a link below to the state’s site providing additional information about the law:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/ollies-law-information
If further clarification is required, we suggest reaching out to your city or town’s Animal Control Officer with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Paw Plaza
