On Wednesday (March 11), a Maryland Committee is holding a public hearing on a bill that, among other provisions, would require annual registration for all dog breeders, and $50 birth certificates for every puppy whelped. The costs would be put into an account to support shelters and spay/neuter programs, along with supporting administration and enforcement of the new program.
AKC understands that the sponsor is attempting to address shelter population concerns. However, House Bill 1551 as written will not solve these concerns and create many unnecessary and expensive burdens on hobbyists.
What You Can Do:
House Bill 1551 is scheduled for a hearing on March 11 in the House Economic Matters Committee. Prior to the hearing, it is important that you contact the following:
- Members of the House Economic Matters Committee (click here and then on the member for contact email and telephone numbers)
- Your State Delegate by clicking here, and
- The sponsor, Delegate Ric Metzgar , especially if you are his constituent.
How to Testify:
Those who would like to submit written or provide oral testimony at the hearing can do so by following the instructions in this link. To provide written or oral testimony, you must do so on Monday, March 9 between 8:00am and 6:00pm.
Let them know the impact this legislation would have on small breeders, and especially you. Respectfully ask that the bill be held, and that instead they first study the issue to better understand what is contributing to dogs being placed in Maryland shelters. Scroll down for additional talking points
Bill Summary:
House Bill 1551 creates a comprehensive regulatory framework for dog breeders in Maryland. It establishes a new Title 17 within the Agriculture Article and phases in requirements for breeder registration, puppy birth certificates, microchipping, and enforcement.
Key Requirements:
- Annual registration for all dog breeders beginning July 1, 2028.
- Puppy birth certificates are required within 30 days of each litter beginning July 1, 2029.
- Mandatory microchip identification for puppies born after July 1, 2030.
- Breeders may not sell or transfer puppies without compliance with all statutory requirements.
Dog Breeder Accountability Fund:
The bill creates a special, non-lapsing fund administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Revenues include registration fees, certificate fees, penalties, appropriations, and other allowable sources. Funds must support shelters, spay/neuter programs, administration, and enforcement.
State Responsibilities:
By July 1, 2027, the Department must adopt implementing regulations and create a public online registry of breeders and puppy birth certificates. Beginning October 1, 2029, the Department must report annually on breeder registrations, fund activity, and shelter intake impacts.
Penalties:
Violations are subject to administrative penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. Each unreported litter constitutes a separate violation. Penalties are deposited into the Dog Breeder Accountability Fund.
Talking Points:
1. High and Compounding Costs
The bill mandates a $150 annual registration fee and $50 per‑puppy birth certificate fees. These costs accumulate quickly and could make responsible breeding financially unsustainable.
- Privacy and Safety Concerns
The publicly accessible registry exposes breeders’ locations and operational details, increasing risks of theft, harassment, and targeting by bad actors or extremists.
- Risk of Driving Breeding Underground
Overly broad and costly regulation may push breeding activity into unregulated or informal markets, reducing transparency and making enforcement more difficult.
- No Clear Evidence of a Problem
The bill creates an expansive regulatory system to address a perceived issue of breeders impacting the shelter population, without data showing that responsible Maryland breeders are contributing to shelter intake or welfare issues.
HB 1551 creates a costly, intrusive, and overly broad framework that harms responsible breeders without producing meaningful animal welfare benefits.
AKC Government Relations and the Responsible Dog Owners of Maryland are closely monitoring legislation in Maryland impacting dog owners. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.