WI’s New Dog Seller Law:
Facts for Consumers

       For a long time, Wisconsin was the “wild west” when it came to regulating the dog industry. We had no licensing requirement, few laws to protect the dogs, and nothing to protect you, the buyer. Although we had many very good breeders and rescuers, we were attracting a lot of bad actors. We received frequent calls and emails, complaining about dogs kept in filthy, crowded conditions, or about $300 puppies with thousands of dollars worth of health problems. But there was nothing we could do about it.

       Now we can. We have WISCONSIN ACT 90, a new law intended to protect dogs and the people who buy or adopt them. The law, and ATCP 16, the administrative rules to enforce the law, went into effect on 1 June 2011.

       Protecting consumers is part of the reason for Wisconsin’s law requiring licensing and inspection for many dog breeders and others who sell dogs or offer them for adoption for a fee.

   Your Protections as a Consumer

       Licensing and inspecting the facilities where puppies, rescue dogs, and other dogs offered to consumers helps ensure that pet dogs will arrive in their new homes healthy and well-socialized to people and other animals.

• Puppies may not be sold without their mothers until they are at least 7 weeks old. Again, this helps ensure that the puppy will be healthy and well-adjusted.

• Dogs must be examined by a veterinarian before they are sold or adopted for a fee, and must come with a health certificate, also called a certificate of veterinary inspection. This document is a declaration that the dog is apparently healthy and free of communicable diseases, and is properly vaccinated (dogs 5 months and older must be vaccinated for rabies).

• Please note that the certificate of veterinary inspection is not a warranty. It only tells you about the dog’s health status when you adopt it. If the dog becomes ill or develops health problems after you bring it home, or if its behavior is unacceptable, we cannot help you under this law. You need to ask the seller for a written health guarantee that specifies your options for return or exchance in such a case. (This is not likely to be a reasonable expectation when you adopt a dog from a shelter or a rescue operation.)

   Your Responsibilities as a Consumer

• Do your homework before bringing a dog into your home. Know whether you are a good candidate for dog ownership, and what kind of dog will fit best into your and your family’s life.

• Look for the seller’s license from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, (not the U.S. Department of Agriculture). It should be posted at the place of business, and current. Note that if you’re buying from a breeder who sells fewer than 25 dogs a year, he/she does not need to be licensed under this program.

• Get it in writing – what happens if you’re not satisfied with the dog? There is no protection in Wisconsin law for you once you take the dog home, so you need to get a written health guarantee that spells out your options for return or exchange is the dog becomes ill or is otherwise unsatisfactory.

• Don’t reward bad behavior. If you see dogs in miserable conditions, you may feel compelled to get them out of those conditions. But you are only giving money to someone to continue to abuse and neglect more animals. Instead, report those conditions to us (608-224-4888, yvonne.bellay@wi.gov) and to the local law enforcement agency.

   More Resources for Choosing a Pet

• Clearing Up the Confusion About WI's New Dog Seller/ Dealer/ Shelter Law: There has been some confusion about Wisconsin’s new law, and this Fact Sheet article sets the record straight.

• Puppy Shopping: DATCP website article to help you do your research before you decide to get a dog, and about what kind of dog is best for you.

• Keeping Your Adopted Pet Healthy (brochure in pdf) The American Veterinary Medical Association explains how to give your shelter or rescue pet the best chance for a healthy, happy life.

• Finding Your New Best Friend!, WIsconsin Puppy Mill Project website section containing several informative articles on choosing the right pet for you.