Search USDA-Licensed Dog Breeders and Dealers

Verify any USDA Class A breeder or Class B dealer against our mirror of the USDA APHIS public database. Search 2,837 active licensees by name, DBA, certificate number, or city. Every result links to a full profile with USDA inspection history since 2014.

What This Tool Does

This lookup mirrors the USDA APHIS Animal Care Public Search Tool (opens in new tab) , refreshed monthly. Use it to confirm a dog breeder holds an active federal license under the Animal Welfare Act before buying a puppy, selling to a dealer, or inspecting the facility's compliance record.

Two USDA license classes appear in results:

  • Class A — Breeder: Breeds and raises dogs on their own premises for sale. Required for breeders with more than 4 breeding females who sell dogs sight-unseen (online, by phone, or by mail).
  • Class B — Dealer: Buys and resells dogs — typically brokers who purchase from breeders and sell to pet stores, research facilities, or directly to consumers.

Certificate format: USDA certificate numbers follow the pattern XX-Y-NNNN — two-digit state code, license class letter (A, B, C, or R), and a sequence number (e.g., 43-A-6252).

Not finding the breeder? They may be exempt from federal licensing (four or fewer breeding females, or face-to-face sales only), licensed only at the state level, or operating without a required license. Check the state-level breeder licensing rules that also apply.

About these licenses: USDA Class A (breeder) and Class B (dealer) licenses are issued under the federal Animal Welfare Act and cover many kinds of animals — not just dogs (for example cats, rabbits, and other regulated species). A licensee shown here holds a USDA license but may breed or deal in animals other than dogs, so inclusion in this database does not necessarily mean the licensee breeds dogs. Always verify a breeder's species, status, and details directly with the licensee and with USDA APHIS (opens in new tab) .

2,214 Class A Breeders
623 Class B Dealers
2026-08-17 Data as of

6,398 results found (Class A)

Including 4,218 inactive results (expired or formerly licensed). Active only

USDA licensee search results
Certificate # Type Name DBA City State Expires Inspections
33-A-0556 Class A MELISSA MILLER — BUNCOMBE IL — Formerly Licensed
48-A-2239 Class A Melissa Morris Iwanna Savannah LLC Olathe KS 11/18/2026 Active
52-A-0189 Class A Melissa Ryan — VALENTINES VA — Formerly Licensed
14-A-0033 Class A Mellissa Sullivan Cape Cod Hedgehogs Wareham MA 7/13/2029 Active
48-A-1482 Class A Melody Boltz — ALMA KS — Formerly Licensed
74-A-1230 Class A Melva Langford — WHITEWRIGHT TX — Formerly Licensed
21-A-0169 Class A MELVIN B SHIRK — PENN YAN NY — Formerly Licensed
21-A-0178 Class A MELVIN B SHIRK — PENN YAN NY — Formerly Licensed
23-A-0660 Class A Melvin Beiler — JERSEY SHORE PA — Formerly Licensed
73-A-2277 Class A Melvin Dennis Thurman Thurman Kennels Marietta OK 9/23/2027 Active
43-A-6784 Class A Melvin E Yoder — Alexandria MO — Formerly Licensed
32-A-0830 Class A MELVIN GRABER — GRABILL IN — Formerly Licensed
43-A-6731 Class A Melvin Hershberger — Lamar MO — Formerly Licensed
42-A-0796 Class A MELVIN JENNINGS — MITCHELLVILLE IA — Formerly Licensed
32-A-0441 Class A Melvin Knepp — MONTGOMERY IN — Formerly Licensed
33-A-0593 Class A Melvin Mast Fitchhillchannel Oblong IL 6/13/2029 Active
42-A-1579 Class A Melvin Miller — CINCINNATI IA — Formerly Licensed
31-A-0585 Class A Melvin Miller — SHREVE OH — Formerly Licensed
35-A-0517 Class A Melvin Mishler — Hillsboro WI 12/5/2028 Active
42-A-1470 Class A Melvin Nisley — Seymour IA 5/14/2028 Active
32-A-0717 Class A Melvin Otto Wanda Otto — LaGrange IN — Formerly Licensed
35-A-0527 Class A Melvin Schmucker — LaValle WI — Formerly Licensed
43-A-6288 Class A Melvin Shirk — Latham MO 2/22/2027 Active
41-A-0449 Class A MELVIN THIESEN — BLACKDUCK MN — Formerly Licensed
31-A-0801 Class A Melvin Troyer — APPLE CREEK OH — Formerly Licensed
33-A-0556 Class A — Breeder
MELISSA MILLER
BUNCOMBE, IL Exp: — Formerly Licensed
5 inspections clean
2017-05-10 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2016-04-26 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 non-critical PDF
2016-03-17 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2015-09-24 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #3
no violations PDF
2014-02-03 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
48-A-2239 Class A — Breeder
Melissa Morris
DBA: Iwanna Savannah LLC
Olathe, KS Exp: 11/18/2026 Active
11 inspections clean
2026-05-28 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2026-03-05 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 non-critical PDF
2025-11-14 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
4 non-critical PDF
2025-11-14 — UNKNOWN
4 non-critical PDF
2024-10-08 — FOCUSED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2024-09-26 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2023-10-17 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-09-14 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2022-12-01 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2021-12-29 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF

Showing most recent 10 of 11.

52-A-0189 Class A — Breeder
Melissa Ryan
VALENTINES, VA Exp: — Formerly Licensed
10 inspections clean
2024-04-17 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2023-10-18 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-06-26 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-04-12 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-03-30 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2022-10-19 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2022-04-13 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2021-06-14 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2020-01-07 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-07-08 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #1
no violations PDF
14-A-0033 Class A — Breeder
Mellissa Sullivan
DBA: Cape Cod Hedgehogs
Wareham, MA Exp: 7/13/2029 Active
12 inspections clean
2026-06-11 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-09-22 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-12-10 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-01-25 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2023-06-21 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-12-20 — NEW SITE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-12-05 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2021-09-22 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-08-06 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-03-01 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF

Showing most recent 10 of 12.

48-A-1482 Class A — Breeder
Melody Boltz
ALMA, KS Exp: — Formerly Licensed
2 inspections clean
2014-06-18 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
5 non-critical PDF
2014-04-02 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
6 non-critical PDF
74-A-1230 Class A — Breeder
Melva Langford
WHITEWRIGHT, TX Exp: — Formerly Licensed
8 inspections 3 direct
2018-06-25 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2016-06-13 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2016-01-26 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2015-07-09 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2015-05-28 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 direct 3 non-critical PDF
2015-05-11 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 direct 2 non-critical PDF
2015-03-17 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2014-03-26 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
21-A-0169 Class A — Breeder
MELVIN B SHIRK
PENN YAN, NY Exp: — Formerly Licensed
3 inspections 1 direct
2014-11-18 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2014-11-08 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 direct 1 non-critical PDF
2014-04-09 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #2
no violations PDF
21-A-0178 Class A — Breeder
MELVIN B SHIRK
PENN YAN, NY Exp: — Formerly Licensed
12 inspections clean
2025-01-15 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2024-03-18 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-02-01 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2023-08-25 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-06-14 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2021-06-15 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-11-06 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-12-04 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2017-11-30 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2017-01-10 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF

Showing most recent 10 of 12.

23-A-0660 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Beiler
JERSEY SHORE, PA Exp: — Formerly Licensed
16 inspections 2 direct
2023-01-27 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 non-critical PDF
2022-10-28 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2022-07-29 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
4 non-critical PDF
2022-06-08 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2022-03-18 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 critical PDF
2022-02-16 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2021-11-24 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2021-08-25 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 non-critical PDF
2021-05-26 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 non-critical PDF
2021-02-10 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF

Showing most recent 10 of 16.

73-A-2277 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Dennis Thurman
DBA: Thurman Kennels
Marietta, OK Exp: 9/23/2027 Active
9 inspections clean
2024-09-18 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-02-14 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-01-13 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-07-09 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-12-10 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2017-11-06 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2016-11-17 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2015-10-20 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2015-01-06 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
43-A-6784 Class A — Breeder
Melvin E Yoder
Alexandria, MO Exp: — Formerly Licensed
2 inspections clean
2023-05-17 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2023-02-06 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
32-A-0830 Class A — Breeder
MELVIN GRABER
GRABILL, IN Exp: — Formerly Licensed
1 inspection clean
2020-02-18 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #1
no violations PDF
43-A-6731 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Hershberger
Lamar, MO Exp: — Formerly Licensed
4 inspections clean
2024-09-11 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-10-16 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-12-15 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2022-09-14 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
42-A-0796 Class A — Breeder
MELVIN JENNINGS
MITCHELLVILLE, IA Exp: — Formerly Licensed
6 inspections clean
2017-03-22 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2016-01-20 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2015-11-02 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2014-12-17 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2014-12-02 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2014-10-02 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
32-A-0441 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Knepp
MONTGOMERY, IN Exp: — Formerly Licensed
6 inspections clean
2021-07-27 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-05-28 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-05-24 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2017-06-27 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2016-04-14 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2014-12-09 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
33-A-0593 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Mast
DBA: Fitchhillchannel
Oblong, IL Exp: 6/13/2029 Active
9 inspections clean
2026-05-14 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-08-11 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-07-01 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-05-10 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-03-30 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2021-10-25 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2021-01-12 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-11-07 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-06-06 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #1
no violations PDF
42-A-1579 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Miller
CINCINNATI, IA Exp: — Formerly Licensed
5 inspections clean
2022-02-24 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-10-07 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-11-05 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-02-08 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2017-08-17 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #2
no violations PDF
31-A-0585 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Miller
SHREVE, OH Exp: — Formerly Licensed
4 inspections clean
2018-06-26 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2017-05-31 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2016-07-21 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2016-03-10 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #1
no violations PDF
35-A-0517 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Mishler
Hillsboro, WI Exp: 12/5/2028 Active
5 inspections clean
2025-12-29 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-05-05 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-05-15 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2023-04-25 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2022-11-30 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
42-A-1470 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Nisley
Seymour, IA Exp: 5/14/2028 Active
13 inspections clean
2025-12-16 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-04-29 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-02-19 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-06-17 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-10-03 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-05-02 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2021-08-05 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-03-12 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-04-11 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2017-04-25 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF

Showing most recent 10 of 13.

32-A-0717 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Otto Wanda Otto
LaGrange, IN Exp: — Formerly Licensed
8 inspections clean
2024-08-20 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2023-09-28 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2023-01-17 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-08-09 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-01-20 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2021-08-10 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-05-14 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-10-05 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #1
no violations PDF
35-A-0527 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Schmucker
LaValle, WI Exp: — Formerly Licensed
3 inspections clean
2024-05-08 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-08-25 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2023-05-25 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
43-A-6288 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Shirk
Latham, MO Exp: 2/22/2027 Active
8 inspections clean
2026-06-11 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-07-25 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-01-18 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-07-07 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2021-06-29 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-08-14 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-09-24 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-02-15 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #2
no violations PDF
41-A-0449 Class A — Breeder
MELVIN THIESEN
BLACKDUCK, MN Exp: — Formerly Licensed
1 inspection clean
2014-08-11 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
31-A-0801 Class A — Breeder
Melvin Troyer
APPLE CREEK, OH Exp: — Formerly Licensed
3 inspections clean
2022-09-26 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2020-09-23 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-11-12 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #2
no violations PDF

Data sources: Licensee data comes from the USDA APHIS Animal Care Public Search Tool (opens in new tab) . Inspection reports are sourced from the Data Liberation Project (opens in new tab) (CC BY-SA 4.0), which compiles USDA APHIS inspection data from 2014 to present. Both are updated monthly. For the most current information, verify directly with USDA APHIS. This is not an official USDA tool.