Did you know that you are required to have a license for your dog kennel? It’s true! A dog kennel license is an annual permit issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow individuals, businesses, or other entities to keep dogs in groups for breeding purposes or as part of a pet shop operation.
However, not all states require this type of license, and some only require it if more than five dogs are being kept at one location. So what does this mean for me?
Well, depending on where you live, you may want to consider obtaining a dog kennel license before purchasing or building your new doggy daycare facility! A
a dog kennel license is a great way to ensure that you are running your doggy daycare with all of the proper licensing and permits, which will then help speed up the process of getting your new business off the ground.
The term ‘kennel’ is defined as any establishment where dogs (or puppies) not physically located in cages or enclosures are kept, tied, penned, or penned up for feeding, breeding, training (for sporting events), sale, or for any other type of business.
For the most part, your doggy daycare will fall into this category unless you use an outdoor facility that is fenced in off-leash play areas. However, you still may want to obtain that license since it can save you money in the long term.
How much does a Dog Kennel License cost?
The cost of obtaining an annual dog kennel license varies by state and municipality. It is typically based on the number of dogs (or puppies) over six months old kept in a particular establishment. Costs may also vary based on the type of license itself, whether for breeding purposes or pet shop purposes, and even the animal control office where your application is submitted.
You can typically find more information about this by checking with your state or local animal control agency.
So do I need to get one?
If you plan to operate your doggy daycare out of a commercial location, it would be to your advantage to get that annual dog kennel license. You will want to check with your state or local government because, in some rare cases, they may not require a yearly permit, but only if the facility is located on a farm and you do not breed dogs and cats on the premises.
How to Get a Dog Kennel Licence in the USA?
It might be easier and cheaper to receive a dog kennel license by talking with your city or state animal control office. You will typically need to submit some form of the following documentation:
- Comprehensive floor plan of your facility showing all rooms, entrances, exits, including outdoor play areas
- Animal vaccination record for all dogs at the kennel
- A copy of your lease agreement if you are renting an office space or building
- The name, address, and phone number of the individual who will be designated as the licensed facility owner or operator
- Local zoning authorities’ statement confirms that your kennel meets code requirements for distance to neighboring structures, etc.
You can find out more information by checking with your local animal control agency.
How Do I Know if I Need A License for My Dog Kennel Business??
If you are planning to operate your dog daycare out of an office, warehouse, garage, or other commercial location, then you will need to check with your local government because many require that all kennel owners apply for a yearly permit.
This is typically required if there are more than five dogs on the premises at any given time.
Are There Different Types of Kennels or Numbers of Dogs That Trigger the Law?
To be considered a ‘kennel,’ you would need to have more than five adult dogs (or puppies) over the age of six months on the premises at any given time.
Some counties and municipalities require that all kennel owners apply for licensing if there are more than three or four dogs, even if they were kept as pets and not for breeding purposes.
How Long Do I Need To Wait For My License?
The time it takes to receive your dog kennel license can vary based on where you live and how busy the animal control office is that you apply with.
If they happen to be backed up, it could take a couple of weeks or even a month, but it usually doesn’t take more than a week.
What’s The Penalty for Not Getting a License?
For many counties and municipalities, the penalty for operating a dog kennel without getting that yearly permit can range from anywhere around $100 to around $500.
There are some exceptions, like when the business is located on a farm or only has less than five adult dogs.
This usually depends on local ordinances, so be sure to check with your local animal control office or city hall.
Can I Convert My Home into Dog Kennel?
It is typically easier to convert an office space or warehouse into a dog kennel rather than converting your home, but it might actually cost you less in the long run.
How Do I Go About Converting My Home Into a Dog Kennel?
If you want to turn your home into a dog kennel, you would want to start by talking with your local zoning authority officials.
You are going to need to submit the following documentation: Comprehensive floor plan of your home showing all rooms, entrances, exits, including outdoor play areas Animal vaccination record for all dogs at the kennel A copy of your lease agreement if you are renting an office space or building The name, address, and phone number of the individual who will be designated as the licensed facility owner or operator A statement from local zoning authorities confirming that your kennel meets code requirements for distance to neighboring structures, etc.
The next step would be to meet with animal control officials who can review your application and decide whether or not to issue a license.
What if I Don’t Get the License?
If you are denied by animal control for operating without a license, then you have two options.
You can either go back to your office space or warehouse and continue with business as usual, or you can shut down your dog daycare business altogether.
Since you would be operating unlicensed, this can result in a penalty by the tax collector’s office.
What if I Have More Than Five Dogs?
Some counties and municipalities require all kennel owners to apply for licensing if there are more than five dogs on the premises at any given time, no matter what the breed or if they are being kept as pets.
This means that you would need to submit the required documents and wait for a decision from animal control officials.