WASHINGTON — The Agriculture Department is cracking down on dog breeders who sell puppies over the Internet with new regulations that will force them to apply for federal licenses.
The rules announced Tuesday would subject dog owners who breed more than four females and sell the puppies online, by mail or over the phone to the same oversight faced by wholesale animal breeders.
The new rules, first proposed last year, would ensure that most people who sell pets over the Internet, by phone or mail order can no longer do so sight-unseen. Sellers either must open their doors to the public so buyers can see the animals before they purchase them, or obtain a license and be subject to inspections by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The rules announced Tuesday would subject dog owners who breed more than four females and sell the puppies online, by mail or over the phone to the same oversight faced by wholesale animal breeders.
Many breeders who run their businesses online have skirted federal oversight by classifying themselves as retail pet stores, which are exempt from licensing requirements. Commercial pet stores aren't required to have licenses because buyers can see the animals before they buy them and decide whether they appear healthy and cared for.
The new rules, first proposed last year, would ensure that most people who sell pets over the Internet, by phone or mail order can no longer do so sight-unseen. Sellers either must open their doors to the public so buyers can see the animals before they purchase them, or obtain a license and be subject to inspections by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The American Kennel Club is "dismayed" by the rule change, calling it "overly broad" and saying that, despite Shea's assurance, the license fee and requirements will hurt hobby breeders.
"The federal government has missed an opportunity to introduce a smarter, more effective rule to deter unscrupulous breeders and sellers by imposing a regulation based on the number of dogs sold, not the number of dogs a person owns," AKC spokeswoman Lisa Peterson said in a statement.
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The rules are targeted to dog breeders but could affect breeders of other animals too. The Agriculture Department estimates that up to 4,640 dog breeders could be affected by the rule, along with about 325 cat breeders and up to 75 rabbit breeders.
"People who have generally been thought of as 'hobby breeders' continue to be exempt," Shea said.
Shea said the licenses will cost $750 or less and complying with the USDA regulations should only be expensive for breeders who aren't already ensuring their animals have adequate housing and medical care.
Small-size breeders have lobbied against the changes, saying the rules could regulate them out of business. USDA's Shea says the department set the minimum of four breeding females to ensure that those smaller sellers would be able to continue offering puppies.
Alboum said the rules still have a loophole because they won't apply to breeders who meet buyers face to face, even if it's just to hand off the puppy in a parking lot.
"If you deliver the dog directly to the person or the person comes to pick up the dog hand to hand, you don't have to comply with these rules," she said.
PawsUp would also like to ask :
Why not more strictly enforce the current laws rather than create even more laws ???
If the resources and education to enforce animal legislation more than "hit-n-miss" are not provided, no amount of laws will help solve the problem of "puppy mills". The loophole that is supposedly helping protect hobby breeders could be utilized by puppy mills also, it only prevents petstore or other dog orders from being filled sight unseen... And, if I want to import a dog from another country for show and breeding, is this going to be prohibited since I am not traveling to that country first to see the animal ?!? This is a legitimate concern for many reputable hobby breeders !
Utilizing programs such as the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program to encourage responsible pet ownership and it's already active and enforced DNA registration policies are proven effective and cost effective strategies....food for thought !
To keep current on "doggy legislation" contact your area breed club or the AKC for links and articles. Everyone's voice is important ! Don't allow law changes without educating yourself on their real impact!
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