A bill has been introduced in the Nevada Senate to regulate anyone who wants to breed and sell dogs, regardless of the number. Senate Bill 241 would require all breeders, regardless of how many dogs owned, to pay a $500 annual fee in order to breed and sell puppies. It would also impose numerous other regulations and subject anyone who breeds and sells dogs to random inspections. It is very important for all responsible dog breeders and owners in Nevada to contact the Nevada Senate and express your opposition to this infringement on your rights!
As written, SB 241 would:
- Define “Breeder” as “a person who breeds cats or dogs for sale”.
- Require an annual application and $500 license fee for anyone who breeds cats or dogs for sale.
- Require an inspection of “the premises upon which the breeder proposes to operate” prior to a license being granted and authorize the Nevada Department of Agriculture or any authorized representatives to conduct a records inspection at “all reasonable times.” The bill is unclear as to whether these inspections could include private homes.
- Prohibit breeding a single cat or dog beyond two litters during its lifetime.
- Mandate microchipping of all dogs prior to sale.
- Prohibit anyone who is not in compliance with a court order for child support from obtaining a breeder's license.
- Include ambiguous exemptions for those who are housing domestic dogs or cats as pets or caring for another person's dog or cat in a home environment and those participating in the exhibition of dogs.
The American Kennel Club's mission includes working to protect the rights of all dog owners and promoting responsible dog ownership. The AKC strongly supports the humane treatment of dogs, including providing an adequate and nutritious diet, clean living conditions, regular veterinary care, kind and responsive human companionship and training in appropriate behavior. We believe, however, that onerous regulations do not address the underlying issues of responsible ownership and proper dog care. The AKC supports reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of dogs without restricting the rights of owners or breeders who take their responsibilities seriously.
How You Can Help:
- Contact the bill sponsors and politely, yet strongly express your opposition to Senate Bill 241. Their contact information is as follows:
Senator Shirley Breeden
c/o Nevada Senate
401 S. Carson St., Room 2131
Carson City, NV 89703
Phone: (775) 684-1457
E-mail: sbreeden@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Maggie Carlton
c/o Nevada Senate
401 S. Carson St., Room 2125
Carson City, NV 89703
Phone: (775) 684-1431
E-mail: mcarlton@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Valerie Wiener
c/o Nevada Senate
401 S. Carson St., Room 2132
Carson City, NV 89703
Phone: (775) 684-1422
E-mail: vwiener@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Randolph Townsend
c/o Nevada Senate
401 S. Carson St., Room 2107
Carson City, NV 89703
Phone: (775) 684-1450
E-mail: rtownsend@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Steven Horsford
c/o Nevada Senate
401 S. Carson St., Room 1222
Carson City, NV 89703
Phone: (775) 684-1429
E-mail: shorsford@sen.state.nv.us
Senator John Lee
c/o Nevada Senate
401 S. Carson St., Room 2131
Carson City, NV 89703
Phone: (775) 684-1457
E-mail: jlee@sen.state.nv.us
Senator David Parks
c/o Nevada Senate
401 S. Carson St., Room 2121
Carson City, NV 89703
Phone: (775) 684-6504
E-mail: dparks@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Joyce Woodhouse
c/o Nevada Senate
401 S. Carson St., Room 2127
Carson City, NV 89703
Phone: (775) 684-1481
E-mail: jwoodhouse@sen.state.nv.us
- Contact your State Senator and express your opposition to the bill. Click here to find your Senator and obtain contact information.
For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
A bill has been introduced in the Nevada Senate to regulate anyone who wants to breed and sell…