What dog breeders are covered by the Animal Welfare Act?
Dog breeders with three or fewer breeding females are not covered under the AWA. See AWA, (scroll down to) “Subpart A–Licensing Sec. 2.1 Requirements and application. (a)(3) Those exempt from licensing:” Any person who maintains a total of three (3) or fewer breeding female dogs and/or cats and who sells only the offspring of these dogs or cats, which were born and raised on his or her premises, for pets or exhibition, and is not otherwise required to obtain a license. USDA, APHIS, Animal Care provides additional information about the Regulation of Commercial Animal Dealers on their website.
