Licensing - No Longer Needed if 3 or fewer Breeding females

[bransworld]

The following is taken right off of this website http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/

Final Rule: Animal Welfare; Inspection, Licensing, and Procurement of Animals: (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/kitchensink.pdf) Amends the Animal Welfare Act regulations to revise and clarify the exemptions from the licensing requirements, the procedures for applying for licenses and renewals, and the restrictions upon the acquisition of dogs, cats, and other animals. For breeders of small exotic pets, such as sugar gliders, hedgehogs, spiny mice, degus, short tailed opossums, etc, there is an exemption from licensing based on number of animals owned

I also spoke with a representative of the USDA today and she specifically stated that you are no longer required to be USDA licensed if you have 3 or fewer breeding females.

If you go to the website to look at this click on the link and it willtake you to a 14 page document listing the rules and regulations.

[Bumblebean]

Hmmm. Now, just to clarify, this is valid everywhere, or just a specific state?

[bransworld]

Hmmm. Now, just to clarify, this is valid everywhere, or just a specific state?

Yes, this is a division of the United States Department of Agriculture so as long as the specific animal is on the list and the animal is legal in your state i would say yes.

[Pippin'sMom]

I believe this topic was already adressed in this (http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68288) thread.

Personally, I don't understand much of any of it, but it doesn't really matter because I don't intend on breeding.

[PrettyHate]

I think not needing a licence to breed is just asking for trouble. Now even more idiots who have NO business breeding will do it simply because they do not need a licence- and that makes Laura angry!

[Pippin'sMom]

I agree completely with you Laura. It's hard enough regulating hedgies without idiots being able to breed. I can only imagine the amount of illegal breeders and dead hedgies because stupid people want to make a profit off an "exotic" animal they know nothing about. Grr... :banghead:

[Tampaquillowner]

I agree ONE HUNDRED PERCENT!!!

[Bumblebean]

That's what I was thinking, too.

[mrgew]

Hmm, and you wonder why did they make the law in the first place? Perhaps it was to limit the idiots out there from breeding, or at least hold them accountable if they did. Sounds like a bad idea to me, but at the same time the usda has a lot to take care of, so perhaps they are trying to prioritize. Who knows, when all is said and done, it sounds like a bad idea.

[Chins&1Quill]

I heard they had to do this as they do not have enough time/money/workers (somewhere along that line) to be able to go over to everyone's house that breeds them, and need to focus more on the people who breed more...