Montana Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

There is no statewide dog breeder license in Montana, so whether you need a license depends on where you live and how many dogs you keep. Many Montana cities and counties require a kennel license once a person keeps more than a set number of dogs. For example, according to a PETA summary of local law, Livingston treats a property as a "kennel" when more than two female dogs are kept for breeding purposes, or when more than one litter of pups is kept for sale. Larger commercial breeders may also fall under federal USDA rules: the USDA generally requires an Animal Welfare Act license for those who maintain more than four breeding female dogs and sell to certain buyers. Because thresholds differ by jurisdiction, breeders should check with their local city or county animal control office before breeding or selling dogs.

Because Montana has no statewide breeder license, there is no single state application. To find out what you need, contact your local city or county animal control or clerk's office, since kennel licenses are handled locally. For example, PETA summaries of Montana city ordinances note that in Bozeman a person keeping a kennel must apply to the city, and in Boulder the kennel-license application is made to the City Clerk and may require written consent from nearby property owners. Local applications often require proof of rabies vaccination and may involve an inspection before approval. If your operation is large enough to fall under federal rules, you would apply to the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/awa/apply.

Montana does not charge a statewide dog breeder license fee because no such license exists. Any fees come from local kennel-license ordinances and vary by jurisdiction. For example, a PETA summary of Cut Bank's ordinance describes an annual kennel fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00). Available state sources do not specify a standard statewide fee, so breeders should confirm exact costs with their local government.

There is no statewide breeder inspection program in Montana. Inspections, when required, are set by local ordinance. A PETA summary of Cut Bank's ordinance describes an animal control officer inspecting the premises and then recommending approval or disapproval of a kennel-license application to the licensing authority. Breeders large enough to be covered by the federal Animal Welfare Act would be subject to USDA/APHIS inspections under federal rules. Available state sources do not describe a routine state inspection schedule for breeders.

Montana does not set statewide record-keeping rules specifically for dog breeders because there is no statewide breeder license. However, general state law does address animal identification and movement. Montana law (81-2-703 MCA, as described in a news-style source) requires animals brought into Montana to be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. The Animal Legal & Historical Center's summary of Montana dog laws also references keeping documents such as import permits and health certificates for animals imported from outside Montana. Breeders covered by federal USDA rules must follow the record-keeping requirements of the Animal Welfare Act.

Because Montana has no statewide breeder license, penalties for breeding without one come from local ordinances rather than a state breeder law. Breeders who fail to get a required local kennel license may face fines or denial or revocation of the license under city or county rules. Statewide, Montana's general animal cruelty laws still apply, and neglect or inadequate care can be prosecuted regardless of a breeder's intentions. Available sources do not list specific statewide fine amounts for breeding without a license.