Thursday, September 26, 2019
Despite concerns from New Hampshire residents, the Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS), AKC, and others, Governor Sununu re-negotiated a state budget with legislative leaders keeping intact the new definition of “pet vendor” and striking “commercial kennel” from state law.
Click here to view our previous alert on the New Hampshire budget process.
HB 2 requires anyone transferring 25 or more dogs in 12 months to secure a pet vendor license from the state.
The American Kennel Club believes that pet vendors are in the business of selling animals, not producing and raising quality animals for breed preservation and personal use. This policy change confuses the primary purpose of both legal entities that were previously, and in our view appropriately, recognized in New Hampshire law. AKC also believes that New Hampshire residents would be better served without a threshold that could reasonably result in a breeder of two large litters being labeled as a commercial entity. AKC and NH DOGS will continue to work on bills retained by the House Environment and Agriculture Committee to make a more distinct clarification in law.
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will provide additional information as developments warrant. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org; or the Dog Owners of the Granite State at www.nhdogs.org.