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APHIS finalizes rule on pet retail store definition
Story Date: 9/18/2013
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Source: NATIONAL ASSOC. OF STATE DEPTS. OF AGRICULTURE, 9/17/13
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently issued its final rule expanding the definition of retail pet store under the Animal Welfare Act. Internet based businesses and other businesses that sell animals sight unseen must now be licensed and inspected by APHIS to ensure the pets they sell to the public receive minimum standards of care. Animal rescue groups, pounds and shelters will continue to be exempt from APHIS regulations as well as breeders who sell working dogs, sell rabbits for food and fiber, children who raise livestock for 4-H and FFA programs and businesses that only deal with cold-blooded animals. The Animal Welfare Act was enacted 40 years ago. The revisions to the rules come in response to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit on dog breeders. The audit found that the vast majority of breeders were not being monitored or inspected to ensure the animal’s well-being.
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