Connecticut Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

Last updated: 2026-02-21

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Quick Summary

Connecticut requires anyone who breeds more than five litters of dogs per year to get a local kennel license from their town clerk. The state also requires a commercial kennel license from the Department of Agriculture for larger operations that sell dogs to the public.

License Required Yes
Annual Fee $50 (10 or fewer dogs) / $100 (more than 10 dogs)
Threshold More than 5 litters per year
Inspection Annual by animal control officer (permitted, not mandatory)
Governing Agency CT Department of Agriculture and local town clerks

Regulatory Agency: Connecticut Department of Agriculture and local town clerks

Who Needs a License in Connecticut?

If you breed more than five litters of dogs per year, you must get a local kennel license from the town clerk in the town where your kennel is located. This license must be renewed every year. Breeders producing five or fewer litters per year may voluntarily apply for a local kennel license but are not required to do so. Larger commercial kennels that sell dogs to the public also need a separate commercial kennel license from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture also oversees licenses for pet shops, dog training facilities, and pet grooming facilities. The threshold was raised from two litters to five litters per year by Public Act 23-17, effective June 7, 2023.

How to Apply

For a local kennel license, you apply through your town clerk's office. You will need to provide information about how many dogs you keep and where they are housed. For a commercial kennel license, you apply through the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. The commercial kennel license fee is $400 and is valid until the second December 31 after issuance. The application process includes providing details about your facility and the dogs in your care. Every dog in a licensed kennel must wear a collar or harness with a tag showing the license number, the town name, and the license year.

Fees and Costs

The local kennel license fee is $50 per year if you keep no more than 10 dogs. If your kennel has more than 10 dogs, the fee is $100 per year. If you do not get your license by June 30, you must pay an extra $1 for each dog in the kennel on top of the regular fee. The commercial kennel license fee under Section 22-344 is $400 (biennial, valid until the second December 31 after issuance).

Inspections and Compliance

Each kennel may be inspected annually by an animal control officer in the town where the kennel is located. As of July 1, 2023, annual inspections by animal control officers are permitted but no longer mandatory. The commissioner, Chief Animal Control Officer, or any state animal control officer may inspect any kennel at any time. Inspections can also happen anytime a complaint is made about the kennel. During an inspection, the officer checks the sanitary conditions, the dogs' access to proper food, clean water, exercise, and veterinary care.

Record-Keeping Requirements

Kennel owners must keep records of veterinary care for all dogs in the kennel. They also need to maintain records of every dog or puppy transferred to a new owner. These records must be available for review during inspections. Keeping good records helps prove that animals are getting proper care and that all transfers are being tracked.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Any kennel owner who breeds more than five litters per year and either fails to apply for a kennel license, fails to allow an inspection, or fails to comply with any order issued shall, for a first offense, have committed an infraction. A second or subsequent offense is a class D misdemeanor. Operating a kennel after the license has been revoked or suspended is a class D misdemeanor. These penalty classifications were updated by Public Act 23-17.

Sources and References

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