Dog Breeding Laws by State 2025

Required
44
Unregulated
6
Not required
0
State
Provide FWSV
Safe from Weather
Minimize Distress
Room to Move
Sanitary Home
Exercise Socialization
Charges for Improper Care
Alabama Flag
AlabamaUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulated
Alaska Flag
AlaskaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredBreeders who violate Alaska's dog breeding laws may be subject to fines up to $500 per violation. Revocation of license for breeding and criminal charges
Arizona Flag
ArizonaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredNeglect of an animal is a class 1 misdemeanor, and can result in up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500. Aggravated cruelty to animals, which includes intentionally or knowingly subjecting an animal to cruel mistreatment or killing an animal, is a class 6 felony, and can result in up to two years in prison and/or a fine of up to $150,000.
Arkansas Flag
ArkansasUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulated
California Flag
CaliforniaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredFailure to provide adequate care to an animal is a crime, and can result in up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. If the animal suffers great bodily harm or death, the penalties are increased to up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $20,000.
Colorado Flag
ColoradoRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredCruelty to animals is a class 1 misdemeanor, and can result in up to 18 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Aggravated cruelty to animals, which includes knowingly torturing, needlessly mutilating, or killing an animal, is a class 6 felony, and can result in up to 18 months in prison and/or a fine of up to $100,00
Connecticut Flag
ConnecticutRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide an animal with proper care can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in prison. If the animal suffers serious physical harm or dies, the penalties are increased to a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to five years in prison.
Delaware Flag
DelawareRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredCruelty to animals is a class A misdemeanor, and can result in up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,300. Aggravated cruelty to animals, which includes intentionally or recklessly torturing, cruelly beating, or killing an animal, is a class G felony, and can result in up to two years in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
Florida Flag
FloridaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredDog breeders who violate Florida's laws and regulations may be subject to fines, revocation of license, criminal charges, and civil penalties
Georgia Flag
GeorgiaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredDog breeders who violate Georgia's laws and regulations may be subject to fines, revocation of license, criminal charges, and civil penalties
Hawaii Flag
HawaiiUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulated
Idaho Flag
IdahoRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredDog breeders who violate Idaho's laws and regulations may be subject to fines, revocation of license, criminal charges, and civil penalties
Illinois Flag
IllinoisRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredCruelty to animals is a class A misdemeanor, and can result in up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500. Aggravated cruelty to animals, which includes torturing or mutilating an animal or killing an animal in an especially heinous or brutal manner, is a class 4 felony, and can result in up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000.
Indiana Flag
IndianaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNeglect of a vertebrate animal is a class A misdemeanor, and can result in up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Animal cruelty, which includes knowingly or intentionally torturing or mutilating an animal, is a level 6 felony, and can result in up to 2.5 years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Iowa Flag
IowaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredAnimal neglect is a simple misdemeanor, and can result in up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $625. Animal abuse, which includes intentionally injuring, maiming, disfiguring, or killing an animal, is an aggravated misdemeanor, and can result in up to two years in prison and/or a fine of up to $6,250.
Kansas Flag
KansasRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredIf a person is found guilty of animal cruelty, they may be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both. A second or subsequent violation is a felony and may result in a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to one year and six months, or both.
Kentucky Flag
KentuckyUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulated
Louisiana Flag
LouisianaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredIf a person is found guilty of animal cruelty, they may be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to six months, or both. If the animal cruelty resulted in serious bodily injury or death, the penalty may be increased to a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment for up to ten years, or both.
Maine Flag
MaineRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredIf a person is found guilty of animal cruelty, they may be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both. If the animal cruelty resulted in serious bodily injury or death, the penalty may be increased to a fine of up to $2,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
Maryland Flag
MarylandRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredIf a person is found guilty of animal cruelty, they may be fined up to $5,000, imprisoned for up to 90 days, or both. If the animal cruelty resulted in serious bodily injury or death, the penalty may be increased to a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
Massachusetts Flag
MassachusettsRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredIf a person is found guilty of animal cruelty, they may be fined up to $2,500, imprisoned for up to five years, or both. If the animal cruelty resulted in serious bodily injury or death, the penalty may be increased to a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to seven years, or both.
Michigan Flag
MichiganRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredIf a person is found guilty of animal cruelty, they may be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to 93 days, or both. If the animal cruelty resulted in serious bodily injury or death, the penalty may be increased to a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to four years, or both.
Minnesota Flag
MinnesotaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredIf a person is found guilty of animal cruelty, they may be fined up to $3,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both. If the animal cruelty resulted in serious bodily injury or death, the penalty may be increased to a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
Mississippi Flag
MississippiRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredDog breeders who violate Mississippi's laws and regulations may be subject to fines, revocation of license, criminal charges, and civil penalties
Missouri Flag
MissouriRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredIf a person is found guilty of animal cruelty, they may be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both. If the animal cruelty resulted in serious bodily injury or death, the penalty may be increased to a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to four years, or both.
Montana Flag
MontanaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredDog breeders who violate Montana's laws and regulations may be subject to fines, revocation of license, criminal charges, and civil penalties
Nebraska Flag
NebraskaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredIf a person is found guilty of animal cruelty, they may be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to six months, or both. If the animal cruelty resulted in serious bodily injury or death, the penalty may be increased to a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
Nevada Flag
NevadaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredIf a person is found guilty of animal cruelty, they may be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to six months, or both. If the animal cruelty resulted in serious bodily injury or death, the penalty may be increased to a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
New Hampshire Flag
New HampshireRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredDog breeders who violate New Hampshire's laws and regulations may be subject to fines, revocation of license, criminal charges, and civil penalties
New Jersey Flag
New JerseyRequiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredMonetary fines and suspension of the license to sell pets.
New Mexico Flag
New MexicoRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredDog breeders who violate New Mexico's laws and regulations may be subject to fines, revocation of license, criminal charges, and civil penalties
New York Flag
New YorkRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredDog breeders who violate New York's laws and regulations may be subject to fines, revocation of license, criminal charges, and civil penalties
North Carolina Flag
North CarolinaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredDog breeders who violate North Carolina's laws and regulations may be subject to fines, revocation of license, criminal charges, and civil penalties
North Dakota Flag
North DakotaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide necessary food, water, shelter, or veterinary care is considered animal cruelty, which is a misdemeanor for first offense and class A misdemeanor for second or subsequent violation.
Ohio Flag
OhioRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide adequate food, water, and shelter: first degree misdemeanor, fine of $250 to $1000, and/or up to 180 days imprisonment. Torturing or cruelly abusing a dog: fifth degree felony, fine of up to $2500, and/or 6 to 12 months imprisonment
Oklahoma Flag
OklahomaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide proper care for a dog is considered animal cruelty, which is a felony offense. Penalties can include fines of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to five years.
Oregon Flag
OregonRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care is considered animal neglect, which is a misdemeanor offense. Penalties can include fines of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.
Pennsylvania Flag
PennsylvaniaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide necessary food, water, shelter, or veterinary care is considered animal cruelty, which is a misdemeanor offense. Penalties can include fines of up to $750 and imprisonment for up to one year.
Rhode Island Flag
Rhode IslandRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide necessary food, water, shelter, or veterinary care is considered animal cruelty, which is a misdemeanor offense. Penalties can include fines of up to $500 and imprisonment for up to 11 months.
South Carolina Flag
South CarolinaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide necessary food, water, shelter, or veterinary care is considered animal cruelty, which is a misdemeanor offense. Penalties can include fines less than $200 and imprisonment for up to one year.
South Dakota Flag
South DakotaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredDog breeders who violate South Dakota's laws and regulations may be subject to fines, revocation of license, criminal charges, and civil penalties
Tennessee Flag
TennesseeRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide necessary food, water, shelter, or veterinary care is considered animal cruelty, which is a misdemeanor offense. Penalties can include fines of up to $2,500 and imprisonment for up to one year.
Texas Flag
TexasRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care is considered animal cruelty, which is a felony offense. Penalties can include fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to two years.
Utah Flag
UtahUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulated
Vermont Flag
VermontRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide necessary food, water, shelter, or veterinary care is considered animal cruelty, which is a misdemeanor offense. Penalties can include fines of up to $2,000 and imprisonment for up to one year.
Virginia Flag
VirginiaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care is considered animal cruelty, which is a Class 4 misdemeanor offense. Penalties can include fines of up to $250.
Washington Flag
WashingtonRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredWashington law also states that a dog may not be left in a parked car in a manner that endangers its health or safety. Failure to provide necessary food, water, shelter, or veterinary care is considered animal cruelty, which is a gross misdemeanor offense. Penalties can include fines of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to one year.
West Virginia Flag
West VirginiaRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredIn West Virginia, failure to provide necessary food, water, shelter, or veterinary care is considered animal cruelty, which is a misdemeanor offense. Penalties can include fines of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to one year.
Wisconsin Flag
WisconsinRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredFailure to provide adequate food, water, and shelter: Class C forfeiture (fine of up to $500). Torturing or cruelly treating a dog: Class I felony, fine of up to $10,000, and/or up to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment
Wyoming Flag
WyomingUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulatedUnregulated