Pennsylvania Dog Law
What This Section Covers
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) oversees animal health and welfare through regulatory enforcement. Within the PDA, the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement (BDLE) is responsible for licensing and inspecting kennels, protecting dogs and puppies, and safeguarding consumers. In this section you will learn who needs to be licensed with the BDLE, how to read and understand inspection reports, and important questions to ask put together in easy step-by-step directions.
In Pennsylvania, some dog sellers must comply with both state and federal licensing laws. These laws do not replace one another; they work together to regulate the industry.
You can find free printables to download for your research and links to help you in your journey to responsible pet ownership. You’ll also find links to all of the resources at the bottom of the page with some frequently asked questions.
More states coming soon!
Click the buttons below for more information
Pennsylvania Kennel Types Explained
How to Find a Pennsylvania Kennel Inspection Report
How to Read a Pennsylvania Kennel Inspection Report
Pennsylvania Puppy Buyer’s Guide
Pennsylvania Laws Protecting Puppies & Consumers
Research Corner
One stop shop for all of the links you need.
Need help researching?
The goal of this site is to put all of the information in one place and make it free to the public but we know researching a puppy seller, breeder, rescue, or shelter takes time and sorting through public records, inspection reports, and licensing information can be overwhelming. Fetch the Facts offers consumer research services to help make the process easier. Whether you’re looking to support a responsible breeder or want to learn more about a rescue or shelter before adopting, we’re here to help.
Fetch the Facts does not promote or discourage a consumer’s choice to select a specific dog breed, but encourages informed and responsible decisions regardless of where a dog comes from. We believe that supporting responsible breeding practices, ethical rescues, and informed pet ownership can help improve animal welfare and reduce the number of dogs entering shelters over time.
If you are interested in this service please choose from one of the options below:
Puppy Trace Report
This report traces the puppy’s path from its current seller back to the breeder using publicly available records available under federal and applicable state laws. Depending on what information is publicly available, the report may include:
- The seller’s license number
- Seller inspection reports
- The breeder’s and/or broker’s license number
- Breeder and/or broker inspection reports
- Previous business names or aliases associated with the breeder, broker, or seller
- Copies of inspections or enforcement reports
- The transporter’s USDA registration number and any publicly available transporter violations or enforcement records.
This report is based solely on publicly available information and record availability may vary by state, agency and seller.
Not sure how many reports you need?
Review the examples below before submitting your request. Puppies from the same litter and seller can often be researched together, while puppies from different litters or sellers require separate research reports.
Shelter/Rescue Transparency Report
This report reviews a rescue or shelter using publicly available records and information available under federal, state, and local laws (when applicable). Depending on what information is publicly available, the report may include:
- The organization’s registered business or nonprofit name
- State charity or nonprofit registration information
- USDA and/or state license information (if applicable)
- Inspection reports and publicly available violations
- Previous business names, aliases, or affiliated organizations
- Consumer complaints
- Enforcement actions, or legal cases that are publicly documented
This report is based solely on publicly available information and record availability may vary by state, agency, and organization type.
Frequently Asked Questions
➡️ Should I purchase the puppy, then go home and do the research?
Absolutely not! The seller should provide this information prior to selling you the puppy so you can make a responsible and informed decision. If the seller is not running a responsible operation and you purchase the puppy to “save it,” then you are contributing to the cycle of abuse. Walk away. The puppy will be saved, and so will the parents.
If you are not confident that the person is running a reputable business, please report them here.
➡️ What is the difference between a USDA and PA license?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces the federal law, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Breeders, Dealers, Transporters, etc. are issued a license based on which class they fall into (ex. Class A=breeder, Class B=Dealer, etc.) The standards that each licensee must meet are set to the bare minimum. They are meant to keep the animal alive. Inspections range from yearly to every 3 years based on prior violations.
Pennsylvania issues kennel licenses based on the type of business conducted and the size of the business. These licenses are issued by the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement (BDLE), which is a branch under the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Dog wardens are responsible for enforcing this law and inspecting kennels. The Pennsylvania Dog Law has higher standards of care in comparison to the AWA.
Some businesses are required to hold multiple licenses depending on their operations. This means they are inspected by both USDA inspectors and Pennsylvania Dog Wardens, and must comply with the standards of the federal Animal Welfare Act as well as the Pennsylvania Dog Law.
➡️ Do all dogs coming into PA need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)?
Yes. Requiring a CVI prior to transport of a dog into Pennsylvania aims to prevent serious diseases from entering the state that could negatively impact both animal and public health.
➡️ Should I use the pet store kennel license number to look up the puppy I’m interested in?
No. Pennsylvania uses a different type of licensing. Think of it as each building gets its own kennel license based on the type of business it conducts. The pet store will have a ‘pet shop’ kennel license. Each puppy in the store will have a kennel license number from the kennel where it originated.
If it’s a dealer kennel, you’ll want to contact the dealer to find out who the breeder is. Then trace the puppy’s journey back to its birth to make sure you’re purchasing from responsible people.
The same goes for online sellers. Think of their website as a “store”. They should also have the proper license displayed on their website.
➡️ If my puppy came from a kennel that is not where it was born, can I ask that kennel who the breeder was?
Absolutely! Under the law, you have the right to trace the puppy back to where it was born. If any person refuses to give you this information, hesitates, or stalls prior to purchase, then you are looking at a major red flag. Some pet stores claim to source puppies from large numbers of “hobby breeders,” which can make it difficult for consumers to verify where the puppies actually originated.
➡️ How can I tell if I should be checking for both a USDA license and a Pennsylvania kennel license?
This is the tricky part with having multiple agencies overseeing operations. A good rule of thumb would be to ask for both licenses. If the seller says that the breeder/broker/transporter isn’t required to have a license under either agency, ask if you can have their name. A responsible seller will not hide under the guise of “hobby breeder” or “private breeder”.
➡️ How can I find my state legislature?
If you want to contact your representatives to advocate for stronger laws, click here.
Pennsylvania works side by side with the federal government on animal welfare laws. In most cases, federal licensing does not exempt breeders from state requirements. Both state and federal licenses may be required and enforced independently.
🗣️ Get Involved
Want to help influence animal welfare legislation in PA? The links below connect you to trusted groups leading the charge for policy change. You can also directly contact your legislatures.