SB0053 - Dog Breeder License Act Summary

• Creates the Dog Breeder License Act requiring the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to license dog breeders maintaining 3 or more female dogs for offspring sale, with licensing beginning 6 months after enactment.

• Establishes strict operational standards including maximum 20 unaltered dogs over one year old, required veterinary exams, specific housing facility requirements (temperature 50-85°F, sanitization, adequate space), and record-keeping for at least 5 years.

• Requires dog breeders and pet shop operators to provide comprehensive written disclosures at point of sale including breed, medical history, breeder information, price, known genetic diseases, and facility breeding statistics, with intentional misstatements constituting consumer fraud violations.

• Prohibits applicants convicted of felonies related to animal care, dog fighting, or animal abuse from licensure and requires fingerprint background checks against state and federal criminal databases.

• Sets sunset date of January 1, 2020 and amends the Animal Welfare Act to require pet shops to source dogs only from licensed breeders while imposing similar care and disclosure requirements on pet shop operators.