Pet Breeder, Breeder and Commercial Pet Retailer License

Did you know that all breeders, breeders, and commercial pet dealers in Puerto Rico must be licensed by the Department of Health?

Act No. 154 of August 4, 2008, known as the Animal Welfare and Protection Act, Chapter 2, Section 17(b) provides as follows: "Every breeder shall be licensed by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Department of Health shall be the agency responsible for issuing the licenses and establishing the requirements for the same. Any breeder operating without a license from the Department of Health for such purposes shall incur a fourth-degree felony."

Where can I find the requirements to obtain this license?

• In the Regulations of the Secretary of Health No. 148 known as Regulations for Licensing Breeders, Breeders and Commercial Sellers of Pets.
• You can obtain a copy of this on the Department of State (DE) website at www.estado.pr.govunder: OTHER under "Search in Register of Registered Regulations". DE Reg. No. 8291.
• In addition, you can contact the Environmental Health Office in your Region for more information.

Who must apply for this license?

This license must be requested by any natural or legal person that carries out one or more of these three activities:

• Who possesses three (3) female pets or more, with their reproductive organs intact, and who possesses them for the purpose of reproduction and sale of their offspring.
• Breeding more than ten (10) puppies per year, for the purpose of sale.
• Sells more than ten puppies/kittens per year.

In addition to the Breeder's, Breeder’s, and Commercial Pet Dealer's License, must I apply for a Health License?

• Yes, you must obtain a sanitary license for the establishment where you will carry out the commercial operation.
• As well as the pet breeder's, breeders, and commercial pet dealer's license.
• It is important that your Use Permit includes this activity; if it does not, you may request an amendment from the Permit Office that applies to you.

What is the cost of these licenses?

• Breeder's and Commercial Pet Dealer's License $25.00. The license can be requested through the portal renovacionesonline.com.
• Permiso Único can be requested through the ogpe.pr.gov portal.

Why is it important to be licensed?

• In addition to being a legal requirement, this regulation allows pets to receive adequate and dignified treatment, promoting their control and protection.
• On occasion, sick pets may end up in public places, serving as vectors for the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as rabies.
• In this way people can buy disease-free pets because they will be vaccinated and well cared for

What kind of facilities should this license have?

• Pet shops
• Farmhouses
• Department stores
• Places where pets are reproduced, bred and/or sold. (For the purposes of these Regulations, pets are understood as all animals of the canine and feline species, i.e., dogs and cats).

Regional Environmental Health Offices

Aguadilla:
Ave. Severiano Cuevas, Bo. Caimital Abajo Carr. 2, Km. 141.1
Aguadilla, PR 00605
Tel. 787.765.2929 Ext. 5709, 5718

Arecibo:
Hospital de Distrito 625 Ave. San Luis
Arecibo, PR  00612-3666
Tel. 787.765.2929 Ext. 3251, 3252, 6475,6578

Bayamón:
Calle Dr. Veve, Esq. Calle 5 Urb. Sierra Bayamón
Bayamón PR 00960
Tel. 787.765.2929 Ext. 3215, 3216, 3218, 3229

Caguas:
Calle  Acosta #1
Caguas, PR  00725
Tel. 787.765.2929 Ext. 5573, 5574, 5938, 5939

Fajardo:
Calle E, Suite 70, Urb. Monte Brisas
Fajardo, PR  00738
Tel. 787.765.2929 Ext. 6405, 6406, 6407 

Mayagüez:
Unidad de Salud Pública,
Mayagüez, PR 00680
Tel. 787.765.2929 Ext. 6061, 6063, 6064

San Juan (Región Metropolitana):
Edificio National Plaza Ave. Ponce de León 431 Oficina 404
San Juan PR 00936
Tel. 787.765.2929 | 787.763.1842 

Ponce:
Hospital San Lucas II
Ponce, PR   00730-3850
Tel. 787.765.2929 Ext. 5721, 5722, 5724, 5725, 5726, 5727