Hawaii Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

Right now, no one in Hawaii needs a state-level dog breeder license, because the state has no dedicated commercial dog breeder licensing law. Multiple non-government references list Hawaii among the states with no laws about commercial pet breeders, and none of the official sources reviewed establish a state breeder license. Breeders who ship dogs across state lines or run large wholesale operations may still fall under the federal Animal Welfare Act, which is enforced by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Anyone owning or running an AWA-regulated business must be licensed or registered with APHIS. In 2026, Senate Bill 2710 proposed defining a 'dog breeder' as someone who owns or controls more than ten dogs over twelve months old with intact sexual organs and who sells or transfers more than three litters and more than twenty-five dogs per calendar year, but available sources do not show this bill was enacted.

There is no state dog breeder license to apply for in Hawaii at this time. Breeders who must comply with federal rules can apply for a USDA APHIS Animal Welfare license or registration through the APHIS website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/awa/apply. Under the federal licensing rule, applicants must report the total number of animals they expect to hold or use and provide certain other information. All dog owners in Hawaii, including breeders, must license their individual dogs with their county, usually within three months of establishing residency; for example, Maui County dog licenses are handled through the Maui Humane Society. Anyone who wants to check on possible future state requirements should watch the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity for updates.

Hawaii charges no state dog breeder license fee, because no such license exists. County dog licensing has its own separate fees and rules; for example, Maui licenses are valid for 2 calendar years and must be renewed before the end of the second calendar year. Breeders who need a federal USDA APHIS license would pay fees set under the federal Animal Welfare Act program. Available state sources do not specify any breeder license or renewal fee, since there is no state breeder license.

Because Hawaii has no state dog breeder license, there are no state breeder inspections tied to such a license. Breeders regulated by the USDA under the Animal Welfare Act are subject to federal inspections of animal care, housing, and treatment. County animal control and humane societies may respond to animal welfare complaints under general animal cruelty and hoarding laws. Available state sources do not describe any dedicated state breeder inspection program.

Hawaii does not require state-level breeder records, since there is no state breeder licensing law. Breeders licensed under the federal Animal Welfare Act must keep the records that APHIS requires, such as animal acquisition and disposition records. County dog licensing may involve keeping proof of vaccination and license paperwork. Available state sources do not set out specific record-keeping rules for dog breeders at the state level.

There are no state penalties for breeding dogs without a state breeder license, because no such license is required in Hawaii. However, general animal welfare laws still apply, and Hawaii's animal hoarding statute applies when a person possesses more than fifteen dogs, cats, or a combination of dogs and cats. Failing to license an individual dog with the county can bring fines; for example, Maui warns that failing to license a dog could result in a fine of up to $500. Breeders who violate the federal Animal Welfare Act may face federal enforcement actions, including civil penalties or injunctions brought with the help of the U.S. Department of Justice.