Nebraska Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

Under the Commercial Dog and Cat Operator Inspection Act, a person cannot operate as a commercial dog or cat breeder, a dealer, a boarding kennel, an animal control facility, an animal shelter, an animal rescue, or a pet shop unless they obtain the appropriate license from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. This means that commercial breeders, along with several other types of animal operations, are covered by the same licensing law. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-626, you are a commercial breeder if, in a 12-month period starting April 1, you sell or transfer 31 or more dogs, have 4 or more dogs intended for breeding, or have 4 or more litters; the law also covers anyone who knowingly sells dogs for later retail sale or brokered trading. Local cities may also have their own rules; for example, some Nebraska municipalities define a breeder differently and require a local breeder permit on top of any state license.

Applications for a commercial dog or cat operator license are handled by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), which administers the Commercial Dog and Cat Operator Inspection Act. You should contact the NDA directly to get the current application form, confirm which license category fits your operation, and learn what documents and standards apply. Depending on where you live, you may also need to check with your city or county about local kennel permits, zoning approval, or a business license before you start operating. In some areas, such as Papillion, residents are directed to contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to obtain certain cattery and rescue licenses. Confirm the exact application steps and submission details with the NDA.

Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-627, applicants pay a one-time, nonrefundable $125 license fee. Licensees also pay an annual fee due April 1; for commercial breeders it is based on the number of breeding dogs, from $175 (10 or fewer) to $675 (451 to 500) and $2,100 (more than 500), plus $2 per dog for the daily average above 10. Late payment adds 20 percent of the fee per month, up to 100 percent. The department may adjust these amounts by rule within statutory limits. Separately, some local governments charge their own fees; for example, Omaha-area residents get local animal permits through the Nebraska Humane Society. Breeders should contact the NDA and their local government for the current, exact amounts.

The Commercial Dog and Cat Operator Inspection Act includes inspections as part of its name and purpose, and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture conducts inspections to make sure licensed operations meet animal welfare, housing, health, and recordkeeping standards. Nebraska is listed among the states that require breeders to be licensed and regularly inspected. The NDA must inspect every licensee at least once every 24 months, may make unannounced inspections during normal business hours, and charges $150 plus mileage for a reinspection (Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-628). A qualifying inspection is required before a new license is issued (54-627). Breeders should ask the NDA for the specific inspection standards that apply to their license type.

Licensed commercial breeders are generally expected to keep accurate records as part of meeting the standards under the Commercial Dog and Cat Operator Inspection Act, and recordkeeping is one of the areas inspectors review. State law requires commercial dog breeders to keep an individual health record for each dog (litter records are allowed for littermates treated alike), to microchip each breeding dog and record the ID in its health record, to keep a written veterinary care plan, and to have each breeding dog examined by a veterinarian at least once every three years (Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-640, 54-641.02, 54-641.03). Retention periods are set in NDA rules. Breeders who also hold a federal USDA license must follow the Animal Welfare Act recordkeeping rules. To be safe, keep clear records of the animals you own, breed, buy, and sell, and confirm the exact state requirements with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Operating as a commercial dog or cat breeder or related operation without the required license violates the Commercial Dog and Cat Operator Inspection Act. Operating without a required license, or any other violation of the Act, is a Class I misdemeanor (Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-634). The NDA can also impose an administrative fine of up to $5,000 per violation (54-633) and can put a license on probation, suspend it, or revoke it (54-631). Enforcement is carried out by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Breeders should confirm the exact penalties and enforcement process with the agency or by reviewing the statute.