A bill has been pre-filed in the Missouri House of Representatives to require licensure and inspection of all breeders – including hobbyists.
The bill was filed in response to media reports of a hobbyist in the state being charged with animal cruelty. The AKC absolutely agrees that all animals deserve life in a safe, humane environment. We support laws that hold those accountable who harm animals, and the strong enforcement of those laws.
However, House Bill 2567 will not accomplish these goals, and instead will require many home-based breeders to be regulated as commercial breeders, including some requirements that may simply not be possible for a home-based environment.
The legislative session begins on January 7, and it is important for the representatives to understand that this bill should not advance. Breeders and club members in Missouri are urged to call the Speaker’s office and your State Representative’s office and respectfully ask them to oppose House Bill 2567.
Speaker John Patterson:
573-751-0907
Jonathan.Patterson@house.mo.gov
Type your address here to find the name and contact information for your State Representative.
Summary:
Missouri law defines a “hobby or show breeder” as one with fewer than 10 intact females (over the age of 6 months) who “who breeds dogs or cats with the primary purpose of exhibiting or showing dogs or cats, improving the breed or selling the dogs or cats” (so long as they are only selling to other breeders or individuals).
Those meeting this definition must register with the state, but are exempt from commercial licensing and inspection requirements. They are still subject to cruelty and humane care laws.
A ”commercial breeder” is one who is “engaged in the business of breeding animals for sale or for exchange in return for a consideration, and who harbors more than three intact females for the primary purpose of breeding animals for sale.” There are numerous requirements for commercial breeders, including for those who keep dogs in their home. However, the law specifically exempts hobby/show breeders from this definition, and the licensing, inspection and other requirements designed for commercial entities.
House Bill 2567 removes the exemption of hobby breeder, and therefore defines a commercial breeder as anyone with more than three intact females (over the age of 6 months) for the primary purpose of breeding. It also strikes the language that exempts all hobby/show breeders from licensing and inspection requirements.
In current law, inspections are unannounced unless there is an agreed-upon time in writing with the animal welfare officer assigned to the inspection.
Talking Points:
1) Express your support for current state and local laws regarding the humane treatment of animals, and resources for enforcement of those laws. Respectfully tell them that all hobbyists shouldn’t be punished for the actions of one person.
2) Hobby breeders are already required to register with the state, and may be inspected if there is a complaint.
3) Requiring hobbyists to be licensed and inspected creates new concerns. Not only is it a significant new cost to the state, it also may not be possible for hobby breeders to comply with all the requirements of a commercial operation (for example, a veterinary plan that includes regularly-scheduled visits of a veterinarian to a licensee’s premises)
4) Ask that House Bill 2567 not advance and instead encourage education and resources for strong understanding and enforcement of current laws.
5) Tell your story – let your lawmaker know of all the steps you take to ensure your dogs are bred and raised in a safe, humane and caring manner.
AKC Government Relations and the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners (MoFed) are monitoring all legislation in Missouri impacting dog owners and breeders. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.