In Pennsylvania, individuals are not licensed as breeders. Instead, the state licenses the kennels they operate and classifies those kennels based on their activities and the number of dogs they handle each year.
Kennel Type: This is the type of kennel a person operates. Depending on the type of operation they will be given one of these classifications.
Kennel Class: After it’s determined what kind of kennel the individual operates, they are given a classification based on on the number of dogs in the kennel per calendar year.
These kennels are inspected by dog wardens. Inspection records are posted on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website so consumers can see how the kennel operates.
Important reminders:
Pet stores- Each pet store will have a retail pet shop license. Dog wardens inspect the kennel (pet store) and post inspection records on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website for the public to view. You can find those inspection reports here.
A pet store license only tells consumers about the retail seller. Since the puppy was likely born and raised elsewhere before arriving at the store, it is equally important to identify and research the kennel and the people that cared for the puppy during its first eight weeks of life.
Individual puppy- Each puppy will have a kennel inspection card attached to their crate. This lists the BREEDER’S kennel license number. You can search for the inspection records of the kennel where the puppy was born.
The breeder may also hold a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) breeder license. You can search the USDA database here to view federal inspection reports and enforcement records for licensed breeders.