Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is the Animal Welfare Act (AWA)?
Answer: The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is a federal law passed by Congress in 1966 to protect certain animals from inhumane treatment and neglect. It is enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which ensures compliance with established standards and regulations. The AWA has been strengthened over the years through several amendments, most recently in 2008.

❓ How Does the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) Apply to Dogs?
Answer: The AWA requires that individuals or businesses who buy, sell, or broker dogs for compensation—whether for pets, breeding, research, security, hunting, or exhibition—must be licensed by the USDA when operating at the wholesale level.
In addition, the AWA:

• Restricts the import of dogs intended for resale,
• Prohibits dog fighting ventures, and
• Protects against the theft of pet dogs.

These regulations help ensure humane treatment and ethical standards in all areas involving dogs.

❓ What Are Examples of Activities That Require a USDA License?
Answer: A USDA license is required for certain commercial and non-retail activities involving dogs. Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Wholesale sales of dogs for use as pets, or for hunting, breeding, or security purposes
• Transferring dogs for compensation (including adoption fees) to another person, business, or organization for future placement or adoption
• Retail sales or adoptions where the buyer, seller, and dog are not physically in the same place, preventing the buyer from observing the animal beforehand
• Sales of imported dogs under similar remote conditions, where the buyer cannot see the animal before purchase or custody
• Selling dogs not born and raised on your premises for research purposes
• Exhibiting more than eight dogs

These regulations are part of the USDA's efforts to ensure ethical treatment and responsible breeding practices.

❓ What Does the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) Regulate?
Answer:The AWA regulates the transportation, purchase, sale, care, handling, and treatment of animals intended for use in research, exhibitions, or as pets. Its goal is to ensure humane treatment and proper care in all licensed settings.

​❓ How Does the AWA Ensure Compliance, and What Does Compliance Guarantee?Answer:
To enforce the AWA, USDA inspectors conduct:

• Pre-license inspections
• Unannounced compliance inspections
• Follow-up inspections

These inspections ensure that facilities remain in full compliance with AWA standards at all times. Inspectors verify that animal care practices are humane, and that records and documentation are accurate, complete, and available for review.
Compliance helps guarantee transparency, accountability, and the ongoing welfare of the animals in care.

❓ What Is a Class A USDA License?
Answer: A Class A license is required for breeders who operate a closed colony, where animals are born and raised on-site. This license applies to individuals who may introduce new animals into the colony for the purpose of maintaining or improving the breeding program.
Most commercial dog breeders fall under the Class A license category.

❓ What Are the Requirements for a Class A USDA License?
Answer: To maintain a Class A license, breeders must meet strict standards of animal care and facility management, including:

• Veterinary Care Program
  A licensed veterinarian must regularly visit the facility and approve a written veterinary care plan. This includes systematic health care--including dental care—for all adult and juvenile animals in the breeding colony.
• Accurate Records
  Complete, current, and accurate records for all acquisitions and dispositions must be kept on file and available to USDA inspectors at all times.
• Veterinarian-Approved Exercise Plan
  Breeders must follow a structured, humane exercise plan approved by their veterinarian.
• Waste Management Plan
  Facilities must implement an approved plan for safe, sanitary waste disposal.

❓ What Are the Facility Requirements for Licensed Breeders?
Answer: Licensed breeding facilities must meet specific environmental and structural standards to ensure the health, safety, and comfort of the animals in their care. These include:

• Permanent, finished buildings
• Climate control systems to maintain safe indoor temperatures
• Potable, filtered water available at all times
• Indoor and outdoor shelters that are clean, dry, and appropriately sized
• Clean bedding for rest and warmth
• Adequate lighting, including access to natural light
• Water-resistant walls for easy cleaning and disease prevention

These requirements are part of maintaining a humane, high-standard breeding operation in compliance with USDA regulations.

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