The USDA Wants to Rewrite Dog Breeding Rules for the First Time in 30 Years — Here's How You Can Help

For the first time in more than three decades, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is asking the public to weigh in on how breeding dogs should be cared for under federal law. And the deadline to make your voice heard is just days away.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) opened a public comment period in February requesting scientific data, personal experiences, and stakeholder input on whether the regulations governing dog breeding facilities need updating. The comment period — originally set to close in March — has been extended to April 20, 2026, giving dog lovers across the country a rare opportunity to directly influence federal animal welfare policy.

Here's everything you need to know — and exactly how to submit your comment before time runs out.

Why the USDA Is Revisiting Dog Breeding Standards Now

The federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) sets the baseline standards for how dogs must be treated at licensed breeding facilities across the United States. But here's the thing: those standards haven't undergone a major revision since the early 1990s.

In the three decades since, veterinary science has advanced dramatically. We now know far more about canine reproductive health, the physical toll of repeated breeding cycles, and the critical importance of socialization and exercise for dogs' mental well-being. The current regulations, written in a different era, don't reflect any of that.

"Scientific advances, new information, and new concepts regarding the care and handling of dogs make it appropriate for the agency to seek scientific information and comment from the public," USDA stated in the Federal Register notice.

Specifically, APHIS is asking the public to weigh in on three core areas:

• Veterinary and nutritional care that breeding females require
• How age, litter frequency, and genetics affect health outcomes for breeding dogs
• Best practices for exercise and socialization to promote overall dog welfare

This effort is part of a broader federal push on dog welfare. In February, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins joined forces with the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Health and Human Services to launch a coordinated crackdown on chronic dog welfare violators.

"If you are breeding dogs and not meeting the Animal Welfare Act's humane standards of care, your time is up," Secretary Rollins said at the announcement. "We will not allow a handful of bad actors to tarnish the reputation of responsible American breeders or compromise the humane treatment of animals."

The Numbers Behind the Problem

To understand why updated regulations matter, consider the scale of commercial dog breeding in America:

• An estimated 10,000 puppy mills operate in the United States, according to the Humane Society of the United States — both licensed and unlicensed
• Roughly 500,000 dogs are kept solely for breeding purposes in these facilities
• An estimated 76,779 breeding females are housed in USDA-licensed facilities alone
• Those licensed facilities produce approximately 721,727 puppies per year
• When you include unlicensed operations, that number balloons to an estimated 2.16 million puppies sold annually that originated from puppy mills

The good news? Compliance with the Animal Welfare Act has improved significantly — rising from an average of 67% in 2015 to over 92% in 2025, according to USDA data. And the number of puppies produced by USDA-licensed facilities that sell to pet stores has decreased 44% since 2020, according to HumanePro.

But compliance numbers don't tell the whole story. The existing regulations set a floor, not a ceiling — and advocates argue that floor is far too low for 2026.

What Could Change for Breeding Dogs

While the USDA hasn't proposed specific rule changes yet (this comment period is a Request for Information, meaning they're gathering data before drafting new rules), here's what's on the table based on the topics APHIS is asking about:

Better Care for Breeding Females

Current regulations set basic standards for food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. But they don't address many issues that modern veterinary science considers critical — like limits on how many litters a female can produce, mandatory rest periods between breeding cycles, or age-based retirement requirements.

In puppy mill conditions, breeding females are often bred every heat cycle with little to no recovery time. Updated regulations could establish science-based limits that protect these dogs' long-term health.

Exercise and Socialization Requirements

This might be the most significant area for potential change. The current AWA regulations have minimal requirements for exercise and virtually no standards for socialization — meaning a dog can spend its entire life in a cage that meets the minimum size requirements without ever playing, exploring, or having positive human interaction.

Research over the past 30 years has made it abundantly clear that dogs need regular physical activity and social contact for their mental and physical well-being. New standards could require daily exercise outside of enclosures, human interaction, and enrichment activities.

Genetics and Health Screening

APHIS is also seeking input on how genetics affect health outcomes in breeding populations — opening the door to potential requirements around health screening before breeding, or restrictions on breeding dogs with known hereditary conditions.

How to Submit Your Comment (It Takes 5 Minutes)

You don't need to be a veterinarian, breeder, or policy expert to participate. The USDA specifically wants to hear from everyday dog owners, and submitting a comment is straightforward:

1. Go to www.regulations.gov
2. Search for Docket No. APHIS-2025-1000
3. Click "Comment" on the docket page
4. Write your comment — it can be as short as a paragraph or as detailed as you'd like
5. Submit before April 20, 2026

Tips for Writing an Effective Comment

Federal agencies take public comments seriously — especially when they include specific, substantive input. Here are a few tips to make yours count:

• Be specific. Instead of "dogs deserve better," try something like: "Breeding females should be limited to no more than four litters in their lifetime, with a minimum 12-month rest period between litters."
• Share personal experience. If you've adopted a dog from a breeding facility, your firsthand account of their physical or behavioral challenges is valuable testimony.
• Cite science when you can. Referencing veterinary research or expert recommendations strengthens your comment.
• Be respectful. Comments that are professional and constructive are more likely to influence policy than emotional appeals alone.
• Focus on the three topic areas APHIS identified: breeding female care, exercise and socialization, and genetics/health outcomes.

Why This Matters for Every Dog Owner

Even if you've never set foot near a breeding facility, these regulations affect you. Stronger federal standards improve the health and temperament of dogs entering the pet population, which means fewer dogs with behavioral issues ending up in shelters. It means puppies from responsible breeders who already exceed these standards gaining a competitive edge over puppy mills. And it means the 65.1 million American households that own a dog can have greater confidence that welfare standards are keeping pace with what we know about canine well-being.

It's also worth noting that this kind of opportunity doesn't come around often. The AWA standards haven't been significantly updated in over 30 years. When the federal government asks for public input, the comments they receive directly shape the rules that follow. Your five minutes could influence policy for the next decade.

What Happens Next

After the comment period closes on April 20, APHIS will review all submissions and use them to determine whether formal rule changes are warranted. If the agency moves forward, they'll publish a proposed rule — which opens another comment period — before any final regulations take effect.

It's a long process, but it starts right here, with public input. The more voices that participate, the stronger the signal that Americans care deeply about the welfare of breeding dogs.

At Sidewalk Dog, we believe every dog deserves a great life — from the ones curled up on our couches to the ones in breeding facilities who've never known that kind of comfort. If you have five minutes this week, consider using them to speak up for the dogs who can't speak for themselves. Find your local Sidewalk Dog city guide for more ways to make a difference in your community.