SB 1712 Summary

• Creates the Commercial Pet Breeders Act to regulate persons possessing 11 or more intact female dogs or cats for breeding and sale in Oklahoma.

• Establishes a Board of Commercial Pet Breeders with 8 members under the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to administer licensing, inspections, and enforcement.

• Requires commercial pet breeders to obtain annual licenses, maintain health records, submit yearly reports, and comply with minimum care standards that meet USDA requirements at minimum.

• Authorizes the Board to conduct at least annual facility inspections, deny or revoke licenses for violations including animal cruelty convictions, and establish reasonable licensing fees with credits for USDA licensing fees paid.

• Establishes penalties for violations including fines up to $500 for basic violations and up to $1,000 for interfering with inspections, with Board authority to seek injunctions, civil penalties, and seizure of animals in danger; creates a revolving enforcement fund from fees and penalties; implementation required by July 1, 2011.