![]() Essentially with regard to dogs, the AWA would apply to those people who raise or collect dogs to sell to universities or other research facilities for money or people who raise dogs to sell to pet stores or breeders. Exhibitors are those individuals who purchase animals to exhibit or perform in circuses, zoos, carnivals, and the like. Dealers are defined as those individuals who buy dogs to sell for research or pets, but that term does not include retail pet stores. The federal AWA regulates only a specific group of people involved in dog commerce specifically, dog dealers and exhibitors. ![]() In addition, a few states have provisions that exclude those dealers regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) who supply dogs for research purposes. This type of exclusion becomes necessary when considering the unwanted puppies often left on the doorstep of such organizations. As may be expected, many states exclude non-profit animal shelters or humane societies from the law’s reach. While the focus of these laws may be at curbing the phenomenon of “dealing dogs,” certain parties are sometimes excluded from these laws. Like many of the pet sale laws (generally known as “puppy lemon laws”), the focus of these laws is on curbing the distribution of puppies from unregulated sources like puppy mills rather than preventing sales by those not in the breeding business (i.e., individuals who are simply giving away an unwanted litter). The remaining states limit the provisions to pet shops, animal dealers, or breeders. About twelve of the eighteen states make it unlawful for any person to sell an underage puppy. In other words, the laws may be limited to a particular class of people, such as dog breeders, kennel operators, or other animal facilities. One thing that is crucial to understand with these puppy sale laws is that they may not apply to everyone. ( Click here to see a table that breaks down each law with a link to the text of the statute). Likewise, Illinois also phrases its law with the idea that a puppy or kitten shall not be "separated from its mother" until the puppy or kitten has attained the age of 8 weeks. Nevada's recently amended law provides that a retailer, dealer, or operator shall not separate a dog or cat from its mother until it is 8 weeks of age "or accustomed to taking food or nourishment other than by nursing. Other states focus on the separation of the puppy or kitten from its mother in addition to specifying a minimum age. Virginia mandates that a puppy be at least seven weeks old. Of those states with laws, all but one require that a puppy be at least eight weeks old before being offered for sale (See Pennsylvania and Nebraska, for example). Approximately eighteen states have laws or administrative regulations that dictate how old a puppy must be before it is offered for sale or adopted out to an owner. The answer to this question, like just about any question in law, depends on where you live. “How old must a puppy be prior to being offered for sale?” ![]() Approximately 15 states have enacted laws or administrative regulations that generally require puppies to be between 6 and 8 weeks prior to being offered for sale. This overview discusses state laws that place restrictions on the sale of young puppies. ![]()
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