This guide covers dog breeder laws by state, along with the rules for pet stores and rescues. While most of the licensed, commercial dog breeders are located in the Midwest, a large majority of unlicensed breeders and even puppy mills are located in every state across the country. Breeders that sell their animals sight unseen are licensed and inspected by the USDA, but facilities on the local level are governed by a patchwork of state laws that vary widely in their licensing, inspections and enforcement.
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BOB's state research pages show each state's licensed and unlicensed breeders, USDA inspection history, pet stores and tips for checking a breeder before you buy.
Find your stateRegulation of commercial breeders, pet stores, and rescues varies enormously by state. Some states require licensing, regular inspections, and detailed recordkeeping; others have minimal breeder-specific oversight, or none at all.
As a nonprofit focused on research-driven consumer education, we believe the public deserves to understand this legal landscape so that people can make informed decisions and know what protections do or don’t exist where they live. Below is a brief overview of the most common types of commercial breeder and pet store laws, and which states have adopted each one. This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive legal reference, it is a starting point for consumers who want to understand their state.
Please note: cities and counties may have stronger local laws than what’s outlined here. This page is an overview of state-level law and is not intended as legal advice.
The USDA licenses and inspects breeders who sell to pet stores or to buyers who never see the animal first, in every state. State rules apply on top of that.
Any pet breeder with 5 or more breeding females is required to obtain a USDA license, only if they sell to pet stores or to customers who don’t see the animal prior to purchase.
A dealer or broker is someone whose business includes the purchase and/or resale of any dog or other regulated animal. This includes brokers and auction operators because they negotiate or arrange the purchase, sale or commercial transport of dogs.
Regulations require rescues that buy, sell, or negotiate the sale of regulated animals (like dogs/cats) at the wholesale level to obtain a USDA license.
Open a law to see which states have it, then select a state for its full summary.
A state agency inspects licensed breeders on a regular schedule. The label shows how often.
These states require a breeder license, but inspections happen only after a complaint or are not on a set schedule.
No state breeder license. Breeders here may still need a USDA license and must follow animal cruelty and neglect laws. A few of these states let cities or counties license breeders.
Limits how many adult dogs a breeder can keep.
Protect buyers who finance or lease a pet, for example by limiting predatory terms and requiring clear disclosure of the agreement.
Give buyers recourse when a pet is sold with an illness or a congenital defect.
Bar pet stores from selling puppies that come from breeders or brokers. Some states also cover kittens and rabbits.
Stop cities and counties from passing their own rules on retail pet sales, which overrides local bans.
Require pet stores to be licensed or registered with the state.
Limit where pet stores can get the animals they sell.
Require stores to tell buyers which breeders their puppies come from.
A state agency licenses breeders who meet the state’s size threshold. The label shows each state’s inspection approach.
Cities, counties, or towns license breeders.
States with restrictions on outdoor sales of dogs.
States with a law requiring disclosures in breeder advertising.
States that ban brokers from selling into the state.
States that license rescues.
Cities and counties can have stricter rules than the state rules shown here. This page is a research overview from Bailing Out Benji, not legal advice.
