Healey-Driscoll Administration Confirms Advisory Committee to Begin Implementation of Ollie’s Law to Improve Safety for Pets Staying at Boarding Kennels

Boston — Today, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is announcing the members of the Ollie’s Law Advisory Committee (“Committee”). The Committee will assist MDAR in promulgating regulations for boarding and training kennels as required by Ollie’s Law, an effort to improve the safety of animals housed in such facilities which was signed in October 2024.

“With the full complement of members in place for the advisory committee,

I’m confident that they will hit the ground running to make the necessary recommendations to elevate the standards and improve the quality and safety of our pet boarding facilities and daycares in Massachusetts,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “As the agency responsible for domestic animal health and safety in Massachusetts, we look forward to providing municipal officials with the tools they need to make boarding and training kennels safer places for our furry friends across the Commonwealth, giving owners peace of mind that their pet will receive the best care and attention while boarded.”

In 2020, Ollie, a seven-month-old Labradoodle was seriously wounded by another dog while staying at a doggie daycare. Sadly, Ollie succumbed to his injuries two months later. In the wake of this tragedy, his mom, Amy Baxter, became a fierce advocate for regulations and oversight at pet boarding facilities, resulting in the passage of An Act of Increase Kennel Safety AKA Ollie’s Law.

The members of the advisory committee will help guide MDAR in establishing comprehensive regulations that clarify the licensure requirements for boarding facilities, and detail operational and safety standards that kennels must follow.

The first meeting of the advisory committee will take place virtually on March 12, 2025 at 10AM. More information about Ollie’s Law can be found at the following link. The following are the members of the advisory committee:

Michael Cahill - Representative from MDAR

Jeni Mather - Owner of a licensed commercial boarding or training kennel with a kennel license with a capacity of 50 or more dogs in a kennel not located in a home

Louis Pacheco - Owner of a licensed commercial boarding or training kennel with a kennel license with a capacity of not more than 50 dogs

Kathy MacKenzie – Animal control officer representing a municipality having fewer than 5 daycare facilities

Kevin Sullivan – Animal control officer representing a municipality having 5 or more daycare facilities

Mark Hogan – Licensing authority representative

Carmen Rustenbeck - Representative of a kennel association or an organization representing kennels

Erin Doyle - Veterinarian or member of a veterinary medical association organized in the commonwealth

Amy Baxter - Member of the general public with an interest in the well-being of dogs

Noelle Wilson - Dog owner who uses the services of a licensed commercial boarding or training kennel

Francine Coughlin - Animal behaviorist certified by International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Inc. or by a comparable certifying entity approved by the department

Debra Cameron - Person with a minimum of 5 years’ experience training people on dog behavior

Kara Holmquist - Representative from a shelter or rescue organization licensed by the department