New York Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

In New York, a breeder who acts as a "pet dealer" must be licensed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Under Agriculture and Markets Law 400, a pet dealer is anyone who sells or offers more than nine animals a year for profit to the public. Breeders are exempt only if they sell fewer than 25 animals a year directly to consumers and all were born and raised on the breeder's residential premises; any other seller over nine a year must be licensed. A 2026 bill to rewrite these definitions (S8252C) passed the Senate on June 3, 2026 but did not pass the Assembly before the session ended, so current law is unchanged. Note that a separate requirement, the New York State dog licensing law under Agriculture and Markets Law Article 7, requires every individual dog four months or older to be licensed through the local city, town, or county clerk; this is different from a breeder/pet dealer license.

Pet Dealer Licenses are issued and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Animal Industry. Licensed pet dealers must display the license where animals are kept and include the license number in every ad for a dog or cat (Agriculture and Markets Law 403). Contact the Department of Agriculture and Markets for the current application checklist and forms.

Under Agriculture and Markets Law 403, a pet dealer license application carries a nonrefundable $150 fee. The license is renewed every year for $100, or $25 for pet dealers who sell fewer than 25 animals a year. Separately, individual dog license fees charged by local clerks are different and vary by municipality; for example, one town set spayed/neutered dog licenses at $15 effective April 1, 2026. Breeders should confirm all current fees directly with the state agency and their local clerk.

Pet dealers in New York are subject to oversight by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Animal Industry, which maintains inspection and license records for pet dealers and rescues. A law enacted as part of Chapter 683, effective December 15, 2025, established mandatory licensing, enforceable care standards, and regular inspections for both municipal and not-for-profit shelters that house cats and dogs. The department must inspect pet dealer facilities at least once a year, while dealers selling fewer than 25 animals a year are inspected at the commissioner's discretion (Agriculture and Markets Law 405). Care standards are in Agriculture and Markets Law 401. Breeders should expect facility and recordkeeping reviews and should confirm the current inspection process with the Department.

New York's pet sale laws require sellers to provide buyers with disclosures, including information about the pet's past veterinary care, breeder information, where the pet came from, vaccine history, and pedigree registration, along with notice of the New York State Pet Lemon Law. These disclosure duties imply that pet dealers must keep accurate records on each animal's origin, health, and veterinary history. Agriculture and Markets Law 402 requires pet dealers to record, for each animal, the seller, original source, acquisition date, description and veterinary treatment, and the buyer, and to keep these records for two years from the date of sale or transfer. Breeders should keep complete health, sales, and origin records and confirm detailed recordkeeping rules with the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Selling animals as a pet dealer without the required license, or violating New York's pet sale and care laws, can lead to enforcement by the Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Puppy Mill Pipeline Act also prohibits retail pet stores from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits, and state agencies have warned consumers and sellers about compliance. Violations carry a penalty of $100 to $1,000 each, and the department can deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license (Agriculture and Markets Law 406). Breeders who violate licensing or care requirements should expect possible fines, license denial or revocation, and other enforcement actions, and should confirm current penalty provisions with the state.