A father and daughter playing with a small black puppy on the floor of a pet store.

Pet Dealers

Ensuring that dogs and cats are properly cared for while kept by pet dealers.

Pet Dealers

The Pet Dealer Licensing Program

Ensuring Proper Care, Housing, and Healthcare for Pets

Under the New York State Pet Dealer Licensing Law, New York State oversees New York pet dealers. The primary goals of New York State Pet Dealer Licensing Program are to ensure that dogs and cats are properly cared for; have adequate and humane housing; and receive veterinary care while kept by pet dealers. Further, the program provides consumers purchasing dogs and cats from pet dealers with the information concerning the animal's health, medical history, and origin.

Licensing

Become a Pet Dealer

You must be licensed as a pet dealer if your facility sells or offers to sell nine or more dogs and/or cats per year, and under certain other conditions.

As of December 15, 2024 under the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, New York pet stores will no longer be licensed as pet dealers and are no longer permitted to sell dogs, cats, and rabbits.

To obtain a pet dealer license, an interested applicant should submit a completed application to the Department with the appropriate non-refundable application fee.

Licenses are valid for one year from issuance, and must be renewed 30 days prior to their expiration date.

Get licensed

Related Resources Connect With the Right Information

Animal-Related Complaints

Learn about when animal-related complaints should be made to the Department or to a local municipality or other group.

LEARN MORE

Pet Dealer Search

View contact information and inspection reports for all licensed pet dealers in New York.

Veterinary Plan Template

Licensed pet dealers must designate an attending veterinarian to provide veterinary care to the dealer’s animals, including a written program of veterinary care and regular visits to the pet dealer's premises.

See the template

Rescue Registry

Animal shelters, rescue organizations, and other non-profit entities that offer animal adoptions are required to register with the Department.

This is part of an effort to provide increased transparency to potential pet owners and helps them determine which organizations have legitimate not-for-profit status.

Shelters and rescues must fill out an application and receive a Pet Shelter and Rescue Dealer Registration Number.

Find out more

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