Dear Ferret Folks- This link will bring you to a document called "Licensing and Registration Under the Animal Welfare Act Guidelines for Dealers, Exhibitors, Transporters, and Researchers." http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/aw/awlicreg.pdf It states pretty clearly that: "Many businesses that buy or sell warmblooded animals, exhibit them to the public, transport them commercially, or use them in experiments or teaching must be licensed or registered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Normal farm-type operations that raise, or buy and sell, animals only for food and fiber, and businesses that use only fish and other coldblooded animals are exempt by law; those that use only rats, mice, or birds are exempt by regulation. The rabbit business is exempt from regulation if the rabbits are intended only for food or fiber. If any rabbits are designated for use in the pet, exhibit, or laboratory-animal trade, the business is regulated. Certain other types of businesses are specifically exempt by law or regulation. No exempt business has to be licensed or registered. This pamphlet lists the major types of regulated and exempt businesses, but it does not cover all cases. If in doubt about your status, telephone or write the Regional Office of the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Animal Care (AC) for your State (see page 19). AC personnel will answer your questions and provide a copy of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, which gives the legal requirements for businesses regulated by the Animal Welfare Act. If you are an owner or the person in charge of a regulated business, the law requires you to be licensed or registered with USDA. Failure to become licensed or registered is a punishable violation of the Animal Welfare Act." Here are the finacials for a Class A license from the "Animal Care Resource Guide Dealer Inspection Guide" : A dealer with a Class A license may conduct business involving: [1.1] * only animals that are bred and raised on his/her premises in a closed or stable colony, and * animals acquired for the sole purpose of maintaining or enhancing the breeding colony The following activities require a Class A license: * selling of domestic dogs or cats to a - pet shop - broker - dealer - exhibitor - research facility NOTE: Persons with 3 or less breeding females are exempt. * selling of 25 or more dogs or cats or any combination thereof to a research facility * selling of more than $500 per calendar year of nondangerous pet type animals to a: - pet shop - broker - dealer - exhibitor - research facility * selling of any wild/exotic animals, excluding hoofstock, for: - pets - exhibition - research: And for the Class B:Class B License A dealer with a Class B license may conduct business involving: [1.1] * animals bred and raised on his/her premises * the purchase and/or resale of any regulated animal NOTE: A license is required whether or not the dealer takes physical possession or control of the animal. * negotiating the purchase or sale of any regulated animal * the exhibition of regulated animals as a minor part of his/her business * the transportation in commerce for compensation animals not bred and raised on his/her premises NOTE: A Class A dealer who wants to transport for compensation animals other than his/her own animals must change to a Class B license. The following activities require a Class B license: * wholesale selling of domestic dogs or cats to a - pet shop - broker - dealer - exhibitor * wholesale selling of dogs for: - hunting - security - breeding * wholesale selling of dogs or cats to a research facility * wholesale selling of more than $500 per calendar year of non-dangerous pet type animals to a: - pet shop - broker - dealer - exhibitor - research facility * wholesale selling of pet animals by a pet store * selling of wild/exotic animals by a pet store * transporting in commerce for compensation animals not bred and raised on the transporter's premises. NOTE: A Class A dealer who wants to transport for compensation animals other than his/her own animals must change to a Class B license. * operating a wild/exotic animal auction * wholesale selling of any wild/exotic animals for: - pets - exhibition - research * acquiring live covered animals which subsequently die or are euthanized and selling the animals for: - research - teaching - exhibition The full text I just quoted from can be found here: <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/manuals/dealer/requirements.pdf> I am not a lawyer. It seems pretty clear to *me* on the face of things that Caroline Ferrets was required to get a license, was told by an inspector point blank on a Dec. 21st, 2007 visit that Caroline Ferrets was *not* one of the businesses that would be exempt from licensure, attempted and failed to get a license several times, and was finally cited with "Failure to: Obtain an USDA license while operating as a dealer" in early in 2008. I do not know what happened after 2008. I do not know what Carolina Ferrets is doing now at all. Alexandra in MA Happy to sign her name. [Posted in FML 6807]