Alabama Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

No State License

Last updated: 2026-07-01

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Quick Summary

Alabama does not have a statewide dog breeder licensing law, and no single state agency oversees dog breeding operations. Breeders who meet federal thresholds may need a USDA license under the Animal Welfare Act, and local cities and counties may set their own kennel permits and breeding rules. A new state law called Beau's Law sets minimum care standards for tethered dogs but does not create a breeder license.

License Required No
Annual Fee N/A
Threshold No state threshold; USDA requires more than 4 breeding females for sight-unseen sales

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Regulatory Agency: No single state agency oversees dog breeding in Alabama. The state does not have an agency that regulates companion animal breeding, shelters, or rescues; local animal control offices enforce municipal ordinances.

Who Needs a License in Alabama?

Alabama has no statewide dog breeder license, so there is no state rule that says who must get one. According to reference sources, no state-level threshold triggers a license, and no single state agency oversees breeders. Breeders may still fall under federal law: USDA licensing under the Animal Welfare Act generally applies to people who own more than four breeding females and sell puppies sight-unseen, such as online or to pet stores. Small hobby breeders who sell in person to buyers who can see the animals are often exempt from federal rules. Local cities and counties may also require their own kennel permits or breeding licenses, so requirements vary by where you live.

How to Apply

There is no state application because Alabama does not license dog breeders at the state level. If your operation meets federal thresholds, you must apply through the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). You can start at the APHIS licensing page (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/awa/apply) and use the APHIS Licensing and Registration Assistant to see if you need a license. For local rules, contact your city or county animal control or licensing office, since breeders, boarding facilities, and groomers each follow different local ordinances. Available state sources do not list a state phone number or state application form because no state program exists.

Fees and Costs

Alabama does not charge a state dog breeder license fee because no state license exists. Any fees would come from federal USDA licensing or from local city or county permits, and those amounts vary. Available state sources do not specify local permit fee amounts. Under federal rules, USDA license fees depend on the size and type of the operation.

Inspections and Compliance

Alabama does not run a state inspection program for dog breeders. Breeders who hold a USDA license are inspected by APHIS under the Animal Welfare Act, which sets standards for housing, care, treatment, and transportation of dogs in 9 CFR part 3, subpart A. Federal inspectors check things like shelter, food, water, veterinary care, and sanitation. Local governments may inspect kennels under their own ordinances, but requirements differ by city and county.

Record-Keeping Requirements

Alabama does not set statewide record-keeping rules for dog breeders because it has no breeder licensing law. Breeders licensed by the USDA must follow federal record-keeping requirements under the Animal Welfare Act, which cover buying, selling, and transporting animals. Available state sources do not specify any state record format or retention period. Local ordinances may add their own requirements.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Because Alabama has no state breeder license, there is no state penalty for breeding without one. Breeders who should be licensed under the federal Animal Welfare Act but are not can face civil or criminal penalties from the USDA. Separately, Alabama's new Beau's Law sets minimum care standards for tethered dogs and creates a tiered criminal penalty structure; owners who fail to provide adequate shelter, water, food, and care while a dog is tethered may face removal of the dog and possible misdemeanor charges. Commercial dog breeders, along with working, hunting, service, and herding dogs, are exempt from the tethering rules under the law's amendments. Local governments may also enforce their own penalties through animal control ordinances.

Sources and References

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