Well said. We should have the right to ship our puppies without having to get a special breeding license. We also need to become more proactive in fighting these laws. Here is a good opinion, written by an attorney who is fighting for us. We need to come together. The Animal Rights Groups are not going away.

"I don't speak for ALR in this post but am using this platform to make the following statement. I personally am not "anti-government". A government is a collection of citizens that do a job to further collective goals of a society and it is made up of fellow citizens. I don't think it’s a bad concept. I like that my food is relatively safe and I have roads I can drive on without requiring a trip to the auto mechanic every week and that when I call the fire department, they come. We keep blaming the government for the problems, we breeders are facing, but we need to look at ourselves. Those who have a different viewpoint from us are well organized and had a plan for promoting their agenda. We sat around so absorbed in obtaining our next champion and infighting over whether or not it is fair to compete with professional handlers, patting ourselves on the back because we thought we were better than that "other breeder" who breeds more litters than us, and angry with the AKC because they seemed to support commercial purebred dog breeders, we failed to form our own coalition with the very people who may have helped us do a better job lobbying and informing the public of our position. So, those people who were organized and increased their ranks, became a well-funded majority through propaganda and the promotion of their ideas. The government listened to the people. We are a much smaller minority of opinion right now. We need to be much better at getting our own message out instead of sitting around complaining that our government is listening to what appears to them as a majority of its citizens. It isn't the government we need to fight, it is the opposition who is competing with us for the ear of the law makers we need to focus on and challenge at every turn. Unless we are able to do that, we will be doomed to hand wringing and complaining. Sheila Kessler"

I wonder is this rule is retroactive. I shipped 3 puppies about 5 years ago but I haven't ship any dogs after that. Anyone care to clarify this?

Legislation like this should not be taken lightly. That said, some of you are just nuts.

You can still ship puppies if you choose. But you have the responsibility to get a license and raise the puppies in accordance with the law.

Rights and responsibilities? How does that work? Oh yes. They take away our rights and we become responsible for complying with the new restrictions.

My idea of responsibility is for all of us to wake up and start fighting the regulations with which the very proactive animal rights people are burdening us.

Check this to-the-point and informative blog on "Time 4 Dogs".

http://time4dogs.blogspot.com/

This blog is misleading. It doesn't have the correct facts.

Here are the facts involving dog breeders:

1.- The buyer, the seller and the animal must be all present at selling time to be considered a retail store, which are exempt from this ruling.
2.- Breeders with 4 or less breeding females in the property can sell sight unseen and they don't need a license. It doesn't matter how many you own or co-own.
If you have 5 or more breeding female and you ship all or some of your puppies you must get a USDA license.
There are some exceptions that apply to Working dogs.


Retail pet store
SUMMARY: We are revising the definition of retail pet store and related regulations in order to ensure that the definition of retail pet store in the regulations is consistent with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), thereby bringing more pet animals sold at retail under the protection of the
AWA. Specifically, we are narrowing the definition of retail pet store to mean a place of business or residence at which the seller, buyer, and the animal available for sale are physically present so that every buyer may personally observe the animal prior to purchasing and/or taking
custody of that animal after purchase, and where only certain animals are sold or offered for sale, at retail, for use as pets. Retail pet stores are not required to be licensed and inspected under the AWA. In addition, we are removing the limitation on the source of gross income from the licensing exemption in the regulations for any person who does not sell or negotiate the sale of any wild or exotic animal, dog, or cat and who derives no more than $500 gross income from the sale of the animals other than wild or exotic animals, dogs, or cats during any calendar year. We are also increasing from three to four the number of breeding female dogs, cats, and/or small
exotic or wild mammals that a person may maintain on his or her premises and be exempt from the licensing and inspection requirements if he or she sells only the offspring of those animals born and raised on his or her premises, for pets or exhibition. This exemption applies regardless of whether those animals are sold at retail or wholesale. These actions are necessary so that all animals sold at retail for use as pets are monitored for their health and humane treatment.

Dealer Definition
We proposed to amend the definition of dealer in § 1.1 of the AWA regulations to mean:
“Any person who, in commerce, for compensation or profit, delivers for transportation, or transports, except as a carrier, buys, sells, or negotiates the purchase or sale of: Any dog or other animal whether alive or dead (including unborn animals, organs, limbs, blood, serum, or other parts) for research, teaching, testing, experimentation, exhibition, or for use as a pet, or any dog at the wholesale level for hunting, security, or breeding purposes. This term does not include: A retail pet store, as defined in this section; any retail outlet where dogs are sold for hunting, breeding, or security purposes; or any person who does not sell or negotiate the purchase or sale of any wild or exotic animal, dog, or cat and who derives no more than $500 gross income from the sale of the animals other than wild or exotic animals, dogs, or cats during any calendar year.”

I always follow the current rules and regulations and raise my puppies in accordance to my own impeccable "laws". I don't need any more.

I get confused when I read about this new law.

1-Is the number of breeding females "4 or more," or "more than 4?"
2-Is the requirement to have a license because you meet the number of breeding females AND sell a puppy sight unseen or because you ship a puppy sight unseen regardless of the number of breeding females you own?
3-Is it only puppies sold sight unseen that matter? What about older dogs?

I think I understand that the definition of breeding female has not been stated. The fact that I would not breed a female until they are 2 years old and have all clearances doesn't matter.

I think I understand that whether you own or co-own the females hasn't been differentiated, that it's whether or not they are on your property that matters -- whether you own them, co-own them or don't even own them at all. Is this correct?

Here it goes again:

1.- The buyer, the seller and the animal must be all present at selling time to be considered a retail store, which are exempt from this ruling.
2.- Breeders with 4 or less breeding females in the property can sell sight unseen and they don't need a license. It doesn't matter how many you own or co-own, what matters to USDA is how many dogs are in the property.
If you have 5 or more breeding female and you ship all or some of your puppies or even one you must get a USDA license and get subject to all the hell's fury.
There are some exceptions that apply to Working dogs.
There might be a loop hole for breeders that breed to perpetuate blood lines, which are all show breeders because what matters in the intention for the breeding and no the final destination of the puppies

Don't assume but I would imagine that it begins the day legislation does. You should be grandfathered on the past, prior to when or if it becomes law. I believe it is a proposal at the moment.

I don't fall into the categories in this proposal but I still don't like it. It's the beginning of more rights taken away from all Americans.

Who Obama chose is a joke, all AR individuals deliberately. Typical of him, more socialism and this is a form of it! I wonder what the breeders of his dogs think of it?

Would this include puppy families who fly to come *personally* pick up their puppy? I can't really choose what method of transportation *they* choose to take their puppy home. Car, train or flying back with pup as carry on.

Or what if the puppy was not sold? Like a pup given to another breeder?

Or What if it was a puppy I bred, but have to ship the puppy to *my* new home?

Just questions that I couldn't seem to find answers for.

These are not the everyday cases they are after. As they've said it many times, if you have an sporadic case that you might have to flight a pet that is not being sold, you should call and ask them. They would probably tell you that it'll be ok if it is only one time. I can't be sure this is true or if it will be honored, so please it is your responsibility to call them and ask.

A puppy buyer who comes and personally meets you does not cause this rule to engage. So puppy buyers who take their pup home on cargo or carry on would not put you, if you have more than four intact bitches, into needing a license.

As for the others, I, too, cannot see answers to your questions, including the gift pup to a relative. I sure as heck am not going to call up and ask, although I do not have five intact girls nor have I flown a pup sight unseen. I like low profile, and my dogs on a couch and rug if I want them there. If I had five girls intact, maybe I'd call--but that would only be the answer from ONE inspector. If I were going to put myself out there, I'd want the ruling in writing. That opens up other cans of worms, I am sure.

Too bad I wasn't a girly girl who took up knitting and dressmaking as a hobby. It would be a lot more clear cut. Meanwhile, I will preserve my little line.

I'll do the same. I don't ship a puppy without the puppy going home with the new owners. I have spayed and intact bitches, 2 of each.

If family wants a puppy, they can come get it or I won't gift to them and I have many times. This won't effect me but I feel for the smaller breeder it will. The problem is what's next especially with the current administration still in and how much will be left over next election? Write to the president, he appointed these people. I already have a few times. I don't even get a form letter back! Nice guy eh? He promised Change. Well here is more Change once again! It's not good Change is it?