Puppy Protection Act Mandates Solid Floors, 30 Sq Ft Minimum Kennels, and Strict Breeding Limits for Dealers

The newly introduced Puppy Protection Act of 2025 is here to dramatically overhaul the standards for commercial dog dealers operating under the Animal Welfare Act. Think of it as a massive upgrade to the living conditions and medical care required for dogs in large-scale breeding operations. The core of the bill is simple: if you’re selling dogs, you have to provide significantly more space, better daily care, and highly regulated breeding practices.

Bigger Homes, Better Floors

For anyone who’s been concerned about dogs stacked in cramped cages, this bill mandates serious changes to housing. First, no more wire flooring—dealers must provide completely solid flooring in all enclosures. Second, the bill bans stacking kennels, which means facilities will need a lot more physical space.

Space requirements are now tied to the dog’s size and are non-negotiable. For the smallest dogs (under 25 inches long), the minimum is 12 square feet of indoor space. If you have a large breed, say a Golden Retriever (over 35 inches long), they must have at least 30 square feet. The indoor space also needs to be tall enough for the tallest dog to stand on its hind legs without bumping the ceiling. Furthermore, the temperature must be strictly controlled, staying between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. This is a clear move to end the practice of housing dogs in minimal, often stacked, outdoor or poorly insulated enclosures.

Daily Life: Exercise, Socializing, and Better Meals

This is where the bill addresses the daily grind for these dogs. Currently, exercise requirements are often vague. This bill makes them mandatory and specific: all dogs over 12 weeks old must have access to an outdoor exercise area. This area must be on the ground, enclosed, and large enough for the dog to stretch out and play. This access is only restricted during severe weather or at night.

Crucially, the bill mandates 30 minutes of meaningful interaction daily. This includes time with humans (like petting or grooming) and time with compatible dogs. For the average person, this means the puppies and breeding dogs they might eventually adopt should be better socialized and adjusted, rather than isolated. They must also be fed appropriate food at least twice a day and have constant access to clean, non-frozen water.

The End of Puppy Mills: Strict Breeding Limits

Perhaps the most impactful section for the long-term health of the breeds is the crackdown on breeding practices. The bill imposes strict limits on how often a female dog can be bred: a maximum of 2 litters in any 25-month period or a total of 6 litters in her lifetime.

Age limits are also set based on size. Small breeds (under 40 lbs) can’t be bred before 18 months or after 9 years old, while large breeds (40 lbs and up) are restricted between 2 years and 7 years old. Before breeding, both parents must be screened for common inheritable diseases, and a veterinarian must confirm the health of the dogs before every breeding attempt. This provision aims directly at reducing genetic health issues that often plague commercially bred dogs.

In terms of retirement, dealers must make “reasonable efforts” to find homes for dogs retired from breeding. This is a welcome change for advocates, though the term “reasonable efforts” is slightly open to interpretation.

The Real-World Impact

For consumers, this legislation means that dogs sourced from commercial dealers should be healthier, better socialized, and come from better-regulated breeding lines. The increased veterinary care—including mandatory annual hands-on exams, core vaccinations, and parasite prevention—will improve the overall health of the breeding stock.

The flip side is the economic burden on commercial dealers. The costs associated with building larger facilities, providing specialized exercise areas, hiring staff for daily socialization, and increasing veterinary expenditure are significant. These costs will likely be passed down, meaning the price of a commercially bred puppy could increase. For smaller dealers, the capital investment required to meet these new standards might be prohibitive, potentially leading to consolidation in the industry. The Secretary has 18 months to finalize the specific rules, so the industry and consumers have a little time before these new standards fully kick in.