The Iowa House of Representatives is expected to vote tomorrow (March 12) on two important bills that will benefit responsible dog owners and home-based hobby breeders. Iowa dog owners are encouraged to contact their State Representative and respectfully urge them to vote YES on House File 2674 and House File 2190.
Take Action
- Find your Iowa State Representative’s contact information HERE.
- Politely ask them to vote YES on HF 2674 and HF 2190 to support responsible dog owners and home‑based hobby breeders, improve clarity in the law, and help ensure lost dogs can be reunited with their families.
House File 2674 – Positive Changes for Hobby Breeders
HF 2674 makes several positive, long‑requested changes for hobbyists currently licensed as commercial breeders in Iowa:
- It updates the commercial breeder threshold so the definition applies to those with seven or more breeding dogs, rather than four, easing regulatory burdens on home‑based breeders while still ensuring oversight of larger operations. A “breeding dog” is defined in this bill as one over 12 months of age, so young puppies will not be counted. All breeders remain subject to existing state and local animal care laws.
- It removes the confusing requirement that commercial breeders may only obtain dogs from out‑of‑state breeders with a “similar authorization,” addressing a major concern expressed by many Iowa hobby breeders.
- It clarifies and modernizes inspection provisions by creating risk‑based inspection tiers for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), while preserving the department’s authority to inspect when there is credible evidence of a violation.
- A new amendment added limits the amount of time that IDALS may use a negative USDA report to enter a licensee’s premises with reasonable cause to two years.
AKC Government Relations appreciates that HF 2674 addresses long‑standing concerns of home‑based breeders and continues to work with the sponsor to keep the bill clear and effective.
House File 2190 – Modernizing Proof of Dog Ownership
House File 2190 updates Iowa law on how dog ownership can be verified when questions arise (for example, if a dog is found loose). Current law is narrow and has, in some cases, made it difficult for owners to reclaim their dogs even when they had reasonable proof.
HF 2190:
- Expands acceptable proof of ownership to include a rabies tag on the dog’s collar, a visible tattoo, a microchip, a receipt or contract, veterinary records, or an otherwise documented history of ownership (which may include AKC registration papers).
- Requires shelters to perform a full‑body microchip scan when a dog enters the shelter, and again before adoption, euthanasia, or transfer, maximizing opportunities to reunite lost dogs with their rightful owners.
These clarifications provide flexibility and important protections for responsible dog owners and their dogs.
AKC Government Relations will continue to closely all legislation impacting dog owners in Iowa. For questions, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.