If you’ve ever unknowingly purchased a pet from a backyard breeder only to realize the newest member of your family has major health issues you’ve most likely found out the hard way, there is little to no regulation in Louisiana.
“Believe it or not, unlike other states who require layers of regulation, inspections, and licensing, for breeders, backyard breeders, commercial breeders, kennels, the state doesn’t require anything,” said the president of the Louisiana Humane Society Jeff Dorson.
Dorson said while in some urban areas the parish might require a local business license but there are no inspections nor little to any oversite when it comes to breeders. State Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain said in Louisiana oversite falls under the USDA.
In addition to animal safety, Dorson said Louisiana is missing out on a revenue stream to fund the breeder oversite. He said the state of Georgia collects $800,000 annually from licenses and penalties and Louisiana could be doing the same.
“And when we mention it to elected officials, they shrug their shoulders. How is it that there’s not enough common sense and consciousness around this whole issue of how do we handle and manage our animals in this state,” Dorson questioned.
In addition to Louisiana animal shelters being overwhelmed due to a low spay and neuter rate, Dorson said unregulated breeders only compound the issue with pets that have health issues being abandoned due to unregulated breeding.
“Why aren’t we doing more, why isn’t the government more involved, why isn’t there oversite, accountability, licensing, and regulations? That would all help a great deal because right now it’s the Wild West,” said Dorson.
Dorson encourages concerned residents to contact their state legislature to sponsor legislation for state oversite of pet breeders.
Humane Society of Louisiana.
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