More About P.U.P.S. from AKC

(Source: AKC.org)
(January 03, 2012) The American Kennel Club and our Washington, D.C.-based advocacy team continue to closely monitor the federal Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) legislation introduced last spring as Senate Bill 707 (S.707) and House Bill 835 (H.R. 835). Each of the bills has been assigned to the Agriculture Committees of their respective chambers. To date, no hearings have been scheduled and no formal action has been taken on this bill.

PUPS would purportedly require anyone who owns or co-owns dogs that produce 50 or more puppies offered for sale in a 12-month period to be regulated under existing USDA dog "dealer" regulations. These regulations are designed for high-volume commercial kennels that produce puppies for wholesale, and require a USDA commercial license, maintenance of specified commercial kennel engineering standards and regular inspections. more >

Legal Issues: Update on USDA/APHIS rules

Read the bill >
Track the bill >

(January 17, 2014)

On November 18, 2013, the new USDA/APHIS rule changes governing retail pet sellers and pet dealers went into effect. Did you know that if you own (this includes co-ownerships) four or more intact females, sell any of your puppies sight unseen to a buyer, or sell a puppy not born and raised on your premises, you now need to have a UDSA license to operate!? Did you know that In order to get a USDA license, you must have a separate kennel facility, meet stringent sanitation, ventilation, climate control, and confinement regulations, and keep your adults and litters separate (assuming you can meet your local zoning and business permit ordinances!). As a USDA licensed breeder, you must have a "responsible person" present weekdays during all reasonable business hours to allow unannounced USDA inspections, and your name and address will be listed on the USDA website for the public to see!

The week after the rules went into effect, the USDA posted a "whistle blower" page on their website, and now anyone can file a complaint against you, regardless of whether or not the complaint is legitimate or not. The USDA intends to respond to every complaint with a phone call and/or home visit. They are already monitoring the internet looking at facebook pages, websites, breed referral lists of dog clubs, etc. ALL hobby breeders are in jeopardy of being inspected at least once, even if it is to determine exemption from having to be licensed.

The Associated Dog Clubs of NY state has teamed up with (to date) 42 dog clubs across the country to challenge the retail pet store rule changes. A formal injunction was filed in court on December 16th. A judge was assigned, and they are now waiting for that judge to set a date for a hearing. In the meantime, on December 30th, HSUS filed a motion to intervene with our injunction. On January 13th, our lawyers responded to the HSUS's motion to intervene with our injunction. They now have 7 days to respond.

(By Tom & Bev Delaney)

Please follow the progress of our fight on "keepourdomesticanimals.com"

For more information and updates, visit AKC GR�s online USDA/APHIS Regulations Resource Page; or contact AKC�s Government Relations Department at doglaw@akc.org.