Georgia Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

In Georgia, the Department of Agriculture's Animal Protection Section licenses pet breeders, pet dealers, pet shops, animal shelters, rescue groups, boarding and training kennels, and similar operators under the Georgia Animal Protection Act (O.C.G.A. § 4-11-1 and following). A person who breeds and sells dogs above the state's sales thresholds must get a Pet Dealer License. According to March 2026 reporting from the American Kennel Club, the state raised the thresholds to qualify as a pet dealer to three or more litters sold per year (up from two) or 30 or more dogs sold per year (up from 20). PETA notes that it is unlawful to breed an animal without a license if you are required to be licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. You may also need a federal USDA license under the Animal Welfare Act if you have more than four breeding females and sell dogs sight-unseen, so breeders should check both state and federal rules.

Applications for a Pet Dealer License are handled by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Animal Protection Section. You can start by visiting the Department of Agriculture's website at https://agr.georgia.gov/ to find current forms and instructions. The process generally involves completing an application, paying the required fee, and passing a pre-licensing inspection of your facility. Available state sources do not list a specific phone number or a full checklist of required documents in this research, so contact the Animal Protection Section directly to confirm what you need. Breeders should also check with their city or county, because kennels and breeding are often treated as commercial activities that must meet local zoning rules.

The state charges an annual license fee for pet dealers, but the exact current amount is not confirmed by an official government source in this research. Prior on-file data listed a range of roughly $50 to $400, which is preserved here as a general guide but should be verified with the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Fees can vary based on the size or type of operation. Contact the Animal Protection Section for the exact fee that applies to your business before applying.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Animal Protection Section inspects licensed facilities as part of enforcing the Georgia Animal Protection Act. A pre-licensing inspection is typically required before a license is issued, and licensed operators must continue to meet minimum standards of care. Inspectors look at things like adequate shelter, nutrition, clean housing, and veterinary care. Facilities that fail an inspection or do not meet standards may face enforcement action, and the exact re-inspection schedule is not detailed in the available sources.

Licensed pet breeders and dealers in Georgia are expected to keep records as part of complying with the Georgia Animal Protection Act and its rules. These records generally cover the animals bought, bred, and sold. Georgia law also prohibits importing, exporting, or selling any dog younger than 8 weeks old unless it is transported with its mother. The available sources do not spell out an exact retention period or required format, so breeders should confirm the specific record-keeping rules with the Department of Agriculture.

Under Georgia law, breeding an animal without a required license from the Georgia Department of Agriculture is unlawful. The Department's Animal Protection Section enforces the Georgia Animal Protection Act (O.C.G.A. § 4-11-1 and following) and can take enforcement action against violators. In 2025, Georgia added a law that bans selling, adopting, exchanging, or advertising the exchange of common domestic animals in certain public and commercial areas, such as parking lots and flea markets. The specific fine amounts and criminal penalties are not detailed in the available sources, so violators should expect enforcement and possible penalties under the Act and local ordinances.