📋 Breeder Licensing: USDA vs. State

Breeder licenses exist to help protect animals from poor treatment and prevent large-scale, inhumane operations from hiding in plain sight.

A license doesn’t guarantee everything is perfect — but it shows that the breeder has gone through at least some level of oversight, record-keeping, and compliance with animal welfare standards.

🏛️ Two Types of Licenses

USDA License (Federal)

A USDA license is required for any breeder who:

  • Sells puppies sight-unseen (like through a website or online ad)

  • Ships dogs across state lines

  • Breeds multiple litters for commercial sale

These are issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and license holders are subject to periodic inspections.

🔍 You can search for USDA-licensed breeders here: USDA Breeders

State License

Many states also require breeders to register or be licensed if they:

  • Have more than a certain number of dogs or litters

  • Sell to the public

  • Operate kennels or breeding facilities

The requirements vary from state to state, but a responsible breeder will know the rules and comply with their state’s laws.

🛑 Real Talk

Listen — having a license is the bare minimum.

It doesn’t mean a breeder is ethical, responsible, or even doing things right. But it's a simple, yes-or-no starting point when you're researching someone.

And let’s be honest: the government websites are awful. The USDA license database is an excel file with 13,000 rows. Many state breeder license sites don’t even work. It’s a constant stream of 404 errors, dead links, and outdated PDFs.

It's a maze. And that’s exactly why so many breeders slip through the cracks — because the system makes it hard for regular people to check.

That’s why Pawthenticity exists: to make it easier to spot the red flags, verify the basics, and bring some transparency back to dog buying.

📬 What to Report

Not all breeder issues go to the same place. It depends on what the breeder is doing, where they’re located, and how they sell puppies. Use this table to figure out what to report — and exactly who to send it to.

📍 Agency 🐾 What to Report 📝 How to Report
USDA (Federal) - Shipping puppies across state lines without a USDA license
- Selling dogs online without in-person visits
- False USDA license claims
- Licensed breeders with documented violations 		Use the USDA Animal Welfare Complaint form: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/awa/regulatory-enforcement/complaint
Include:
- Breeder name & location
- Specific violation (e.g., shipping without license)
- Public links or screenshots as evidence
State Licensing Agency - Breeders located in-state but unlicensed
- Operating over legal dog/litter limits
- Using expired or false state licenses
- Violating any state-specific breeder laws 		Search “[Your State] dog breeder complaint” or use our State Reporting Guide.

Include:
- Breeder contact info
- Location (city/state)
- What’s being sold and where
- Screenshots of listings or ads
Local Animal Control - Animal neglect or cruelty
- Puppies under 8 weeks old being sold
- No food, water, or shelter visible
- Barking complaints or illegal home-based breeding 		Search “Animal control [City or County]” to find phone or email.

Include:
- Exact location/address if known
- Description of what you saw or found online
- Public photo or listing links
- Mention if dogs are in immediate danger

✅ Real-Life Examples

  • A breeder in Florida shipping puppies nationwide without a USDA license → Report to USDA

  • A backyard breeder in Texas with 15 dogs, no state license, and constant Craigslist ads → Report to Texas Dept. of Licensing

  • A TikTok seller in Georgia selling 5-week-old puppies out of a car trunk → Call local Animal Control

  • A USDA-licensed breeder in Ohio repeatedly cited for filthy conditions — and you have photos → File a complaint with USDA and local humane enforcement

💡 Tips

  • You can report to multiple agencies at once — they often refer cases to each other.

  • Always include factual, public information: screenshots, ad links, business names, addresses, phone numbers.

  • Keep your tone neutral and professional, not emotional.