In a procedural move, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (Department) is proposing a rule that would allow it to evaluate whether to increase fee amounts, including license and reinspection fees, for dog sellers and dog facility operators.
Currently, animal shelters and animal control facilities pay an annual $125 license fee to operate in the state. License fees for in-state dog sellers range from $250-$1,000. Additional fees may also apply. As of license year 2020, there are 471 licensed dog sellers in the state, including 113 that sell 25-49 dogs per year, 87 that sell 50-99 per year, 64 that sell 100-249 per year, 25 that sell at least 250 per year, and 182 who operate animal shelters or animal control facilities.
The Department reports that the dog seller program’s fiscal year 2019 revenues ($181,200) failed to meet its costs ($338,600), therefore costing the state $157,400. After evaluation, the Department has determined that it is not able to reduce its program expenditures to its current revenues without failing to meet program requirements that have been set by the state legislature.
As required by statute, the Department would form an advisory group to assist in writing a new proposed fee schedule, with a goal of establishing fees to ensure recovery of program costs through program revenues and to eliminate the program’s current negative cash balance.
The advisory group is to include representatives of each of the following groups:
- Persons selling dogs at retail,
- Dog breeders that sell large dogs and that sell fewer than 50 dogs per year,
- Dog breeders that sell small dogs and that sell fewer than 50 dogs per year,
- Dog breeders that sell large dogs and that sell 50 or more dogs per year,
- Dog breeders that sell small dogs and that sell 50 or more dogs per year,
- Sporting associations whose primary activities involve dogs,
- Humane societies providing shelter to fewer than 500 dogs per year,
- Humane societies providing shelter to 500 or more dogs per year,
- Veterinarians,
- Animal control facilities, and
- Breed rescue groups.
Click here to read the Department’s Statement of Scope filing. Those with questions for the Department are encouraged to contact Angela Fisher, Program Policy Analyst, at (608) 224-4890 or Angela.Fisher1@wisconsin.gov.
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will continue to follow and report developments regarding this effort. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.