SB17 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Priscilla Dunn

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Dog or cat breeders, Alabama Dog or Cat Breeders Commission, established, appointments made by Commissioner of Dept. of Agriculture and Industries, duties, exemptions, rule-making authority, Alabama Dog and Cat Breeders Commission Fund, established in State Treasury

Summary

SB17 would create the Alabama Dog and Cat Breeders Commission to license breeders, set care standards, conduct inspections, and enforce penalties.

What This Bill Does

SB17 creates the Alabama Dog and Cat Breeders Commission within the Department of Agriculture and Industries and gives it broad regulatory authority over breeders. The commission can set care standards, require background checks, contract with third-party inspectors, maintain directories and a disciplinary database, and require annual inventories and records. It would require license display, advertising and contract disclosures, and would allow license denial, suspension, or revocation along with civil penalties; a dedicated fund would finance administration and enforcement. The bill also provides exemptions for certain animals and activities.

Who It Affects

• Breeders who operate facilities in Alabama and meet the definition of a dog or cat breeder (at least 11 adult intact female animals and selling 20+ animals per year) would need licenses, follow care standards, submit inventories/records, and be subject to inspections and potential penalties.
• Consumers and the general public who buy dogs or cats would gain access to a public directory of licensed breeders, information on disciplinary actions, and required disclosures in advertising and sales contracts.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Dog and Cat Breeders Commission with specific categories of members (breeders, veterinarians, animal welfare representatives, public members, an animal control officer, and a nonvoting State Veterinarian).
• Requires licensing for each breeding facility, with annual renewals and license display at the facility.
• Empowers the commission to set licensing fees, inspection rules (including third-party inspectors), and perform criminal background checks on applicants and controlling persons.
• Allows the commission to contract with third-party inspectors, establish training/registration for inspectors, and maintain a disciplinary database.
• Requires annual inventory of animals, and records retention and accessibility for facilities and inspections.
• Sets minimum humane handling, care, housing, and transportation standards, including exercise for animals 12 weeks or older, grooming, veterinary care, and enclosure requirements (e.g., no stacked enclosures beyond three levels, safe materials, adequate space and drainage).
• Prohibits selling or transferring an animal before it is eight weeks old and requires licensing information to be included in advertisements and sales contracts.
• Provides for denial, revocation, or suspension of licenses for violations, including civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation and continued violations treated as separate violations.
• Creates the Alabama Dog and Cat Breeders Commission Fund to pay for administration, enforcement, consumer information, education, and disciplinary actions, with rules on use and potential gifts/donations.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animals