Michigan Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

Michigan law requires that every dog four months of age or older be licensed, and the owner must show proof of a current rabies vaccination at the time of licensing. Beyond the basic dog license, a kennel where 3 or more dogs are kept for sale, boarding, breeding, or training may get a county kennel license in place of individual dog licenses (MCL 287.270), and some local ordinances require a kennel license above a set number of dogs. For example, Shiawassee County states that you can only have four dogs at one address, and if you have more than four you must contact Animal Control to apply for a kennel license. State law requires anyone operating a large-scale dog breeding kennel, meaning a facility that houses more than 15 intact female dogs over 4 months old that have previously been bred and whelped, to register with MDARD (MCL 287.331 and 287.336). MDARD says this applies even if the dogs are kept in separate buildings or are not all owned by the operator, and a local kennel license does not replace the state registration. The USDA may also require a federal license under the Animal Welfare Act for breeders who have more than four breeding females and sell puppies sight unseen (for example, shipping to buyers who never visit in person) (9 CFR 2.1).

To get an individual dog license, Michigan owners apply through their county treasurer or county animal control office, usually starting December 1 for the following year, and by default must buy the license by March 1 (a county may set a different schedule, such as June 1 or the dog's rabies vaccination month, under MCL 287.266). The application requires a valid rabies vaccination certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian and, if applicable, proof of spaying or neutering. For a kennel license, the county treasurer or county animal control officer will not issue a license for a new kennel unless the applicant provides an inspection certificate signed by the director of the Department of Agriculture (or an authorized representative) confirming the kennel meets sanitary requirements; this inspection must be made not more than 30 days before filing the application. Large-scale breeder registration is handled by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). To register, complete MDARD's Large-Scale Dog Breeding Kennel Registration Application (form AH-038) and mail it with the $500 fee (check or money order payable to State of Michigan) to MDARD, P.O. Box 30776, Lansing, MI 48909-8276. MDARD then contacts the applicant to arrange an inspection. Questions go to the program at 800-292-3939 or [email protected].

Individual dog license fees are set locally and vary by county. In Kalamazoo County, for example, the 2026 fees are $16 for a spayed/neutered dog, $16 for a dog under one year of age, and $46 for an unaltered dog over one year. Van Buren County lists a $10 fee for puppies six months or younger. State law sets the county kennel license fee at $10 for 10 or fewer dogs and $25 for more than 10 dogs, doubled for a previously licensed kennel that applies after June 1 (MCL 287.270), but many counties charge their own kennel fees (St. Joseph County, for example, charges $50 to $120), so check with your county. MDARD charges $500 a year for a large-scale dog breeding kennel registration, which expires each December 31 (MCL 287.336).

For a new kennel license, Michigan county officials cannot issue the license unless the applicant provides an inspection certificate signed by the director of the Department of Agriculture, or an authorized representative, confirming the kennel meets the department's reasonable sanitary requirements and that the dogs are properly fed and protected from exposure appropriate to the breed. That inspection must take place no more than 30 days before the license application is filed. MDARD inspects large-scale dog breeding kennels: after a complete registration application is received, MDARD contacts the applicant to start an inspection, all animal housing areas must pass MDARD inspection before use, and the kennel must show its records to MDARD on request (MCL 287.339c). Care and facility standards come from Act 287 and MDARD Regulation 151. MDARD does not publish a fixed schedule for routine inspections. Breeders should confirm the current inspection schedule with MDARD or their county.

State law does not set record-keeping rules for smaller breeders, but a large-scale dog breeding kennel must keep current, verifiable records for at least 2 years (MCL 287.339c). They must show where, when, and from whom each dog was acquired; each dog's identification, color, breed, sex, alteration status, and approximate weight and age; the date and method of each sale or transfer and the buyer's verified name and address; the number of dogs and of intact breeding females on site each day; and breeding records for each intact female, including approximate breeding dates and each litter's birth date and size. Records must be shown to MDARD on request, and each dog sold or transferred must come with a valid pet health certificate from a veterinarian, good for 30 days (MCL 287.335a). In general, owners must keep proof of current rabies vaccination, since this is required to obtain and renew a dog license. Breeders who ship dogs across state lines typically need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and proof of current vaccinations. For large-scale kennels bringing dogs into Michigan, state law requires a certificate of veterinary inspection and vaccination against distemper, parvovirus, and canine adenovirus-2, plus rabies and leptospirosis for dogs 12 weeks or older (MCL 287.335a). Smaller breeders should check whether their county, city, or township adds any record rules.

For a large-scale dog breeding kennel, MDARD may suspend or revoke the registration and impose an administrative fine of up to $1,000 per violation after notice and a hearing (MCL 287.339b), and any violation of the law or its rules is a misdemeanor (MCL 287.340), punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both (MCL 750.504). Violations of the Dog Law of 1919, including its dog and kennel licensing rules, are misdemeanors punishable by a fine of $10 to $100, up to 3 months in jail, or both (MCL 287.286). Counties may charge late fees for dog licenses, and state law allows those fees to be higher than the on-time fee (MCL 287.266). In 2026, Michigan enacted bond-or-forfeit legislation (Public Acts 87 and 88 of 2026) that can require defendants to pay the cost of housing and veterinary care for seized animals while a case is pending, adding financial pressure even before a conviction. Local ordinances may add their own penalties, so also check with your county, city, or township.