Indiana Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

Last updated: 2026-02-21

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Quick Summary

Indiana requires commercial dog breeders to register with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH). A commercial dog breeder is someone who keeps more than 19 unaltered female dogs that are at least 12 months old and sells dogs to brokers, pet stores, or the public. Fees range from $75 to $500 per year based on the number of dogs.

License Required Yes (registration)
Annual Fee $75 to $500 (based on number of dogs)
Threshold More than 19 unaltered females, 12+ months old
Broker Fee $1,000 per year
Governing Agency Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH)

Regulatory Agency: Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH)

Who Needs a License in Indiana?

You must register as a commercial dog breeder with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) if you keep more than 19 unaltered (not spayed) female dogs that are at least 12 months old and you sell dogs to a dog broker, pet store, or the general public. A separate registration exists for commercial dog brokers, which are people who buy dogs from breeders and resell them. If you have 19 or fewer unaltered females, you are not required to register at the state level, but local rules may still apply.

How to Apply

To register, you must apply through the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. The application asks for information about your facility, the number of dogs you keep, and details about your breeding operation. Your registration must be renewed every year. As of July 2024, updated regulations under IC 15-21 changed some of the registration requirements. You must also make sure you have enough employees to properly care for all the dogs, and those employees must be supervised by someone with knowledge and experience in dog care.

Fees and Costs

Registration fees depend on how many unaltered female dogs (12 months or older) you maintain. The fee schedule is: $75 for up to 50 dogs; $200 for 51 to 100 dogs; $300 for 101 to 150 dogs; $400 for 151 to 250 dogs; and $500 for more than 250 dogs. The fee to register or renew as a commercial dog broker is $1,000. These fees must be paid each year when you renew your registration.

Inspections and Compliance

The Board of Animal Health funds its inspection program through the commercial dog breeder and broker fund. Registered breeders and brokers are subject to random, unannounced inspections by the Board. The Board determines how often inspections happen. Inspectors check the condition of the dogs, the cleanliness and safety of the facility, veterinary care records, staffing levels, and compliance with all state regulations. Inspections were strengthened under the 2024 amendments to IC 15-21.

Record-Keeping Requirements

Commercial dog breeders must keep detailed records about every dog in their care. This includes vaccination records (all dogs 3 months and older must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian), health records, breeding records, and sales records. Records must show where each dog came from and where it went when sold or transferred. These records must be available for review during inspections by BOAH staff.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Operating as a commercial dog breeder without proper registration is a violation of Indiana law under IC 15-21. Penalties can include fines and enforcement actions by the Board of Animal Health. Providing false information during registration is also a violation with specific penalties attached. The Board can suspend or revoke registrations for breeders who do not comply with the law. The 2024 amendments strengthened enforcement tools available to the Board.

Sources and References

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