Ollie’s Law and board and train

What the law requires

The law has several parts, some already in effect and some that depend on regulations. The text lists topics MDAR’s rules may cover, rather than setting the standards itself, which is why the regulations matter so much.

One detail many owners miss: Ollie’s Law does not itself set a staff-to-dog ratio. It authorizes MDAR to set one. Our page on board-and-train staff ratios explains what to ask in the meantime.

Where the regulations stand

The law gave MDAR 18 months from its effective date to write regulations. KP Law’s summary gives an effective date of December 19, 2024 and a regulation deadline of June 19, 2026, and the MSPCA says the regulations are scheduled for 2026. We could not confirm, as of late October 2026, whether final regulations have been published and taken effect, or whether any provisions have phased start dates.

So check the current status before relying on any particular rule. MDAR’s Ollie’s Law information page on mass.gov is the place to start. You may also see December 31, 2026 quoted as an “effective date” online; in the act itself, that is the date the advisory committee section is repealed, not the date the whole law starts.

What it means for owners choosing a board and train

For now, the most useful thing Ollie’s Law gives you is a set of good questions. A program that takes the law seriously should be able to tell you its kennel license type and issuing town, how it reports injuries, how it supervises dogs in groups, and how it trains staff in dog handling and body language. Those are the same topics the law asks MDAR to regulate.

Dogtown’s approach to group time fits the spirit of the law: playgroups are small, 7 to 10 dogs matched by size and temperament, and a dog only joins once the free evaluation shows it is ready. Our page on why small playgroups matter explains why that matters for safety. Ask about Dogtown’s licensing, staffing and reporting at the assessment, and expect specific answers.

• “What kennel license do you hold, from which town, and when were you last inspected?”
• “How do you report and record injuries, to me and to the town?”
• “How many staff supervise each playgroup, and what training do they have?”
• “What is your emergency and evacuation plan?”
• “How are you preparing for, or meeting, the MDAR regulations?”

A worked example: reading a facility’s answer

Suppose you ask two programs what they do after a scuffle in a playgroup. One says, “We separate the dogs, check them, call both owners the same day, write it up and report it as required.” The other says, “That never happens here.” The first answer matches what the law expects. The second is either untrue or a sign that small incidents are not being recorded.

Injuries can happen anywhere dogs play together, even in well-run places. Ollie’s Law does not ask facilities to be perfect; it asks them to be transparent, supervised and accountable. Those are fair things to expect from any program you trust with your dog for one or two weeks.