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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal agency that enforces the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The AWA requires that animal dealers be licensed as Class 'A' or Class 'B' dealers and that facilities operated by these dealers be inspected by the USDA. Class A dealers are animal breeders. Class B dealers may also breed animals, but also purchase and re–sell live and/or dead animals. USDA regulations require that a Class B dealer may only obtain animals from random sources such as auction sales, other USDA–licensed dealers, pounds and shelters (where state law allows), "humane groups and contract pounds organized as legal entities under the laws of their State," and from private persons who have raised and bred the animal on their own premises (which could include animals offered in 'free to good home' ads). Proper documentation must be available for each animal to assure legal acquisition (i.e., documents should allow individuals to trace the animal's origin). USDA regulations also stipulate holding periods for random source animals to allow animal guardians ample time to find lost or stolen animals. For example, a licensed Class B dealer is required to hold an animal obtained from a pound or shelter for 10 full days, not including the day of acquisition, before selling the animal.

Class 'B' dealers may sell these animals to entities such as biological supply companies (those that provide live and dead animals to classrooms and laboratories that are also considered Class 'B' dealers under the AWA definition), blood supply companies/facilities that collect blood from animal colonies for veterinary medical use, and research/testing laboratories.

Current List of Random Source Animal Dealers in the U.S.

USDA's Guide for Class B Dealer Inspections

Some Random Source Cat and Dog Dealers in the Product Guide from Lab Animal

The Case Against Random Source Cat and Dog Dealers by the Animal Welfare Institute





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Animal Dealers The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal agency that enforces the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The AWA requires that animal dealers be licensed as Class 'A' or Class 'B' dealers and that facilities operated by these dealers be inspected by the USDA. Class A dealers are animal breeders. Class B dealers may also breed animals, but also purchase and re–sell live and/or dead animals. USDA regulations require that a Class B dealer may only obtain animals from random sources such as auction sales, other USDA–licensed dealers, pounds and shelters (where state law allows), "humane groups and contract pounds organized as legal entities under the laws of their State," and from private persons who have raised and bred the animal on their own premises (which could include animals offered in 'free to good home' ads). Proper documentation must be available for each animal to assure legal acquisition (i.e., documents should allow individuals to trace the animal's origin). USDA regulations also stipulate holding periods for random source animals to allow animal guardians ample time to find lost or stolen animals. For example, a licensed Class B dealer is required to hold an animal obtained from a pound or shelter for 10 full days, not including the day of acquisition, before selling the animal. Class 'B' dealers may sell these animals to entities such as biological supply companies (those that provide live and dead animals to classrooms and laboratories that are also considered Class 'B' dealers under the AWA definition), blood supply companies/facilities that collect blood from animal colonies for veterinary medical use, and research/testing laboratories. Current List of Random Source Animal Dealers in the U.S. USDA's Guide for Class B Dealer Inspections Some Random Source Cat and Dog Dealers in the Product Guide from Lab Animal The Case Against Random Source Cat and Dog Dealers by the Animal Welfare Institute Some of the above links connect to websites not affiliated with AAVS. AAVS make no guarantees for the content or availability of external sites.