Puppy Protection Act Mandates New Standards for Dog Dealers: Sets Rules on Housing, Vet Care, and Breeding Practices

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 aims to update the Animal Welfare Act by establishing a detailed set of requirements for licensed dog dealers – think large-scale commercial breeders. This isn't just a suggestion; it lays out specific, enforceable standards for how these businesses must care for dogs, covering everything from living spaces to retirement plans.

New Kennel Rules: More Than Just a Dog House

Forget wire floors and cramped cages stacked high. This bill gets specific about housing. It mandates solid flooring and sets minimum indoor space requirements based on a dog's size – starting at 12 square feet for smaller dogs (under 25 inches) and going up to 30 square feet for larger ones (over 35 inches). Enclosures cannot be stacked, and facilities must maintain temperatures between a reasonable 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Daily life also gets an upgrade: dealers must provide nutritious food at least twice daily, ensure continuous access to clean water, and offer adequate exercise, potentially including outdoor access or a vet-approved alternative plan. Socialization is also mandated, requiring at least 30 minutes daily with humans and other compatible dogs, unless specific health or behavior issues prevent it.

Health Checks and Responsible Breeding

The bill digs into the health and breeding side of the business. Dealers will be required to provide adequate veterinary care, including annual checkups, core vaccinations, and preventative medications like flea and tick control. Breeding practices face stricter rules: mandatory screening for inheritable diseases aims to produce healthier litters. Female dogs get specific protections, with breeding limited to no more than 2 litters within any 25-month period and a lifetime maximum of 6 litters. Minimum breeding ages are set (18 months for small breeds, 2 years for large breeds), as are maximums (9 years and 7 years, respectively). Importantly, any canine C-section must be performed by a veterinarian. Finally, when a breeding dog's time is up, dealers must make all reasonable efforts to find them a humane placement, rather than simply discarding them.

Putting Paws to Pavement: What Happens Next

If enacted, the Department of Agriculture will have 18 months to finalize the specific regulations based on these requirements. The goal is clear: improve the baseline standard of care in commercial breeding operations, potentially leading to healthier, better-adjusted dogs entering the pet market. However, like any regulation, the real-world impact hinges on enforcement. Ensuring dealers across the board meet not just the letter, but the spirit, of these rules – especially regarding exercise, socialization, and vet care – will be key. The specifics laid out, from square footage to litter limits, provide clearer benchmarks than often exist currently, but oversight will be crucial to making these standards meaningful on the ground.