Feds Take Over Dog Breeding

Feds Take Over Dog Breeding LIVESTOCK DOGS If you breed dogs to sell puppies you may be required to get a USDA dog breeders license under new federal regulations The new rules apply if you own or keep more than 4 breeding females; if you sell animals for pets; or if the sale of puppies does not take place face-to-face Working hunting and service animals are still exempt from license requirements although the USDA reserves the right to determine if a dog is sold as a working dog or as a pet
    Regulators say the reason for the change is the internet The old rules assumed that when pets were exchanged face-to-face between breeder and customer the dog would be inspected prior to the sale With more and more dogs being sold over the internet that is no longer true
    They say the new rules are designed to make sure internet-based pet breeders and sellers are licensed and regulated and that animals and facilities are inspected
    The tricky part is the definition of working hunting or service dog You may sell a puppy bred to herd cattle but if the buyer treats it as a pet it is up to the USDA to decide if you are exempt or need to be licensed

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