This change could impact many individuals. Those most dramatically impacted would likely be the small/hobby breeders who sell relatively few dogs. Breeders or others who own more than four "breeding females" and sell at least one puppy to a buyer sight unseen (including over the internet, by phone, and so on) would no longer be exempted from the Animal Welfare Act. As a result, they would be required to obtain a federal license as a commercial breeder (or "dealer") and be regulated and inspected according to USDA commercial breeding kennel standards.

AKC'S CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROPOSED RULE
The AKC understands and shares the USDA's concern about unscrupulous and potentially substandard puppy sellers. In fact, the AKC has for years encouraged puppy buyers to meet the breeders of their new pet and to work with them to understand the requirements, commitment, and challenges that come with a new puppy. Responsible breeders are also dedicated to making sure that the puppies they bred enjoy wonderful lives. They are a life-long source of information and continuing education on their breeds.

However, the AKC recognizes that when the time comes for a puppy to be transferred to its new owners, a meeting at the breeder's premises is not always possible. For example, consider the new buyers of a rare breed puppy. Because there are few breeders of these breeds and they are often located far away from each other, puppy buyers may not be able to personally go to the breeder's facility to get their new puppy. Instead, they may have to turn to air shipping as an affordable and more convenient way to get their puppy home. In another example, there may be instances where a puppy buyer has a longstanding preexisting relationship with a breeder, knows the parentage and health history of the puppy they would like to receive, and has no reservations about obtaining a puppy from the breeder they know to be responsible and whom they trust. Cases like these, and others, make the proposed rule troublesome.

If adopted in its current form, the proposed rule would have many unintended consequences and create unreasonable hardships on small/hobby breeders. It would threaten both the future of a vast number of small responsible dog breeders, and the even very existence of some rare breeds in the United States.

The AKC promotes the welfare of all dogs, and supports and advocates for the rights of responsible dog owners and breeders. As a major stakeholder, the AKC is preparing detailed comments it will submit to USDA/APHIS.

The AKC is taking a multi-pronged approach to responding to the USDA's problematic proposal which we will submit to USDA/APHIS. As a major stakeholder, we are preparing detailed comments regarding the many issues problems with this proposal, and we ask you to join us in expressing your concerns as well.

The AKC asks you to demonstrate to APHIS, through comments, not only the nature of your concerns with this proposed rule, but also the large number of responsible dog owners and breeders who are concerned and potentially impacted by these regulations.

1. Please join us in by signing the Join with the AKC to protect... petition and ask your friends, family and colleagues to do the same. Significant numbers on this petition add to the weight of the official comments and concerns expressed, and also serve to demonstrate the major impact this proposed change could have on a large number of responsible small breeders.
2. Please review AKC's alerts, updates and FAQs; the APHIS fact sheets and the proposed regulation and submit your own comments and concerns directly to APHIS by July 16. For more information or assistance with doing this see Frequently Asked Questions (below).

Each of these items is important. In particular, the petition adds weight to individual comments by demonstrating the immense number of people concerned about this proposal. Individual comments educate APHIS on how this will impact responsible breeders and dog owners.

In addition, AKC is interested in learning about your concerns and questions as well. In addition to our analysis we are collecting your concerns to share with APHIS (leaving off your contacting information) and to help inform our response. You may email these to doglaw@akc.org

Thank you for your willingness to help educate APHIS on this important issue and take a stand in support of responsible breeders!