Indiana Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

Indiana requires commercial dog breeders to register with BOAH if they maintain more than 19 unaltered (sexually-intact) female dogs that are at least 12 months of age. This threshold applies to anyone who breeds and sells dogs to brokers, pet stores, or directly to the public. The law is codified in Indiana Code Title 15, Article 21 (IC 15-21), which was amended effective July 1, 2024, to update commercial breeder and broker registration requirements. Commercial brokers must also register if they sell at least 500 dogs or puppies in a calendar year OR are licensed with USDA. Small hobby breeders who keep 19 or fewer unaltered female dogs are not required to register with BOAH, though they may still need local kennel permits or business licenses. Anyone who breeds dogs as part of a kennel business and exceeds the 19-female threshold must register their operation with BOAH, regardless of whether they consider themselves commercial or not.

To apply for commercial dog breeder registration in Indiana, applicants must complete and submit the Commercial Dog Breeder and Broker Program Registration form (State Form 54051) to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. The application form is available on the BOAH website at https://www.in.gov/boah/forms/. Because of the legislative changes that took effect July 1, 2024, all BOAH forms have been updated and applicants should ensure they are using the most current version. The application requires detailed information about the breeding operation, including the number of breeding females maintained, facility information, and contact details. All dogs three months of age and older must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and vaccination records must be submitted with the application. Applicants should contact BOAH directly through their website at https://www.in.gov/boah/commercial-dog-breeder-and-broker/ for specific guidance on the registration process and any additional documentation required.

Indiana's commercial dog breeder registration fees are tiered based on the number of unaltered female dogs maintained at the facility. Registration fees range from $75 to $500 annually depending on the size of the operation. Commercial brokers face a separate annual registration fee of $1,000 per year if they sell at least 500 dogs or puppies in a calendar year or are licensed with USDA. The fee structure was updated as part of the amendments to IC 15-21 that took effect July 1, 2024, so breeders should verify current fee amounts with BOAH when applying or renewing their registration.

Indiana law authorizes BOAH to conduct inspections of commercial dog breeding facilities to ensure compliance with state regulations under 345 IAC 1-5.5 (Board Inspections). However, according to available information, Indiana does not require routine commercial pet breeder inspections on a mandated schedule. BOAH inspectors have the authority to examine facilities, records, and animals to verify compliance with care standards, record-keeping requirements, and other regulatory obligations. Inspections may be triggered by complaints, random selection, or as part of enforcement actions. If violations are discovered during an inspection, BOAH has enforcement authority under IC 15-21 Chapter 7 to take corrective action, which may include citations, fines, or suspension or revocation of registration.

Commercial dog breeders in Indiana must maintain comprehensive records as specified in IC 15-21 Chapter 5 and related regulations. Required records include vaccination records showing that all dogs three months of age and older have been vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, complete health records for all breeding dogs, detailed breeding records documenting when dogs were bred and the outcomes, and sales records showing where each dog came from and where it went when sold or transferred. Records must demonstrate the complete chain of custody for each animal, documenting the source of dogs brought into the facility and the destination of dogs leaving the facility. Breeders must maintain these records for inspection by BOAH officials and must be able to produce them upon request during facility inspections or investigations.

Operating as a commercial dog breeder in Indiana without proper registration with BOAH is a violation of IC 15-21 and subject to enforcement action. BOAH has enforcement authority under IC 15-21 Chapter 7 to pursue violations of the commercial breeder regulations. Penalties can include administrative citations, civil fines, suspension or revocation of registration, and referral for criminal prosecution in serious cases. Indiana has been working to strengthen enforcement of breeder regulations, and in January 2026, House Bill 1165 made numerous changes to the state's animal cruelty statutes, further enhancing protections and penalties. Breeders who fail to maintain proper records, fail inspections, or violate animal welfare standards can face progressive enforcement actions starting with warnings and escalating to significant fines and permanent closure of the facility. Continued operation after revocation of registration can result in criminal charges.