California Dog Breeder Compliance Checklist (Effective Jan 1, 2026) - “Free California Dog Breeder Compliance Checklist (2026)”
A) Contracts & Deposits (AB 506)
Under AB 506, nonrefundable deposits are no longer allowed for California buyers. This means breeders must update their contracts and processes to ensure compliance.
Key Steps for Compliance:
Remove ‘nonrefundable deposit’ language. Any mention of nonrefundable deposits in contracts for California buyers must be eliminated.
Ensure deposits are clearly refundable. Document timelines and conditions for refunds to avoid disputes.
Separate application fees from purchase deposits. If you charge fees for services like evaluations or applications, make sure they are distinct from purchase funds.
Update website and invoice language. Ensure your checkout process and invoices reflect the updated terms in your contracts.
B) Disclosures to Buyers (AB 506)
Transparency is a cornerstone of California’s new laws. Breeders must provide clear, written disclosures to buyers about the puppy’s origin, health, and any known conditions.
What to Disclose:
Origin/source information. Include the breeder’s identity, the state where the puppy was born, and the USDA license number (if applicable).
Health and veterinary records. Provide a detailed record of vaccines, deworming, medications, and treatments.
Known conditions. Disclose any known diseases, illnesses, or congenital/hereditary conditions—or state that none are known at the time of sale.
C) Importation & Health Certificates (SB 312)
California now requires stricter protocols for puppies entering the state, including the submission of a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).
How to Comply:
Work with a qualified veterinarian. Confirm your vet can issue interstate CVIs.
Schedule CVI exams carefully. The CVI must be dated within 10 days prior to the puppy entering California.
Submit the CVI electronically. Send the CVI to the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) as required.
Provide a copy to the buyer. Ensure the buyer receives the CVI before transport or entry into California.
Plan transport timelines. Avoid delays that could push you outside the CVI’s 10-day validity window.
D) Sales Channels (AB 519 - Pet Broker Restrictions)
AB 519 restricts the use of third-party pet brokers, emphasizing direct sales and breeder transparency.
Best Practices for Sales Channels:
Sell directly to buyers. Avoid third-party arrangements where you are not the seller of record.
Clearly identify the breeder. Include breeder and program details on all listings, ads, and sales pages.
Maintain traceability. Keep detailed records of each puppy’s origin and transaction history.
E) Recordkeeping (Best Practices)
Good recordkeeping is essential for compliance and protecting your business.
What to Keep:
Signed contracts. Retain copies of all agreements with buyers.
Disclosure packets. Keep records of the origin, health, and condition disclosures provided to buyers.
CVI documentation. Maintain copies of CVIs and submission confirmations for each sale.
Transport records. Document transport dates, carrier details, and buyer receipt/confirmation.
Compliance folder. Create a dedicated folder for California sales, including templates and completed transactions.
Final Thoughts
California’s new laws are designed to protect consumers and promote transparency, but they also require breeders to adapt their practices. By updating contracts, providing clear disclosures, adhering to health certificate requirements, and maintaining thorough records, breeders can navigate these changes responsibly.
At the heart of these regulations is a commitment to ethical breeding and trust-building with buyers. By embracing these principles, breeders can continue to thrive in the California market while ensuring compliance.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Breeders should consult legal counsel or regulatory authorities for guidance specific to their operations.
A practical, breeder-first guide to California’s new puppy sale and importation laws.
Created by Stokeshire Designer Doodles, a program that actively sells puppies to California families and has adapted its operations to meet California’s 2026 legal requirements.
What this checklist is
California’s 2026 laws have introduced major changes for dog breeders — especially those who sell to California residents or transport puppies into the state.
This checklist is a clear, actionable compliance guide designed to help ethical breeders:
Understand what changed
Update contracts and processes correctly
Avoid common compliance mistakes
Protect their program, reputation, and buyers
No fear-mongering. No legal jargon overload. Just practical guidance.
What’s included
✔ Contracts & Deposits (AB 506)
How to remove nonrefundable deposit language
How to structure refundable deposits responsibly
How to separate application or evaluation fees from purchase funds
Website, invoice, and checkout language reminders
✔ Buyer Disclosures (AB 506)
What original information must be disclosed
What health and veterinary records should be provided
How to disclose known (or unknown) genetic or congenital conditions
How to document disclosures properly
✔ Importation & Health Certificates (SB 312)
CVI timing requirements (10-day rule)
Vet coordination checklist
Electronic submission to CDFA
Buyer copy requirements
Transport planning safeguards
✔ Sales Channels (AB 519)
What qualifies as a prohibited “broker” model
Best practices for direct-to-buyer sales
Transparency and traceability guidance
✔ Recordkeeping Best Practices
What documents to retain
How to organize California-specific transactions
Simple compliance folder structure
Who this checklist is for
✔ California-based dog breeders
✔ Out-of-state breeders selling puppies to California residents
✔ Ethical breeders who want clarity — not loopholes
✔ Programs that value transparency and buyer trust
This checklist is not intended for high-volume broker pipelines or anonymous resale models.
Why Stokeshire created this
At Stokeshire, we regularly work with California families. Rather than avoiding the state, we chose to adapt responsibly and document what actually works in practice.
We created this checklist to:
Support ethical breeders
Reduce misinformation
Encourage transparency
Help buyers and breeders align expectations
We believe regulation is moving in this direction nationally — California is simply ahead of the curve.
How to use it
Audit your current contracts and policies
Update your sales workflow before accepting California buyers
Share internally with staff or partners
Reference it when communicating with California families
Many breeders choose to pair this checklist with:
A California-specific contract addendum
A standardized disclosure packet
A CVI scheduling workflow
Format
✔ Downloadable PDF
Disclaimer
This checklist is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Breeders should consult legal counsel or regulatory authorities for guidance specific to their operations.
Stokeshire • Official References
California SB 312 & Dog CVI Requirements (Official Sources)
For California-bound puppies (sale/transfer of ownership), these are the primary state pages where buyers and transport teams can verify current submission rules and documentation requirements.
- California Department of Food and Agriculture. “Submitting Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) for Dogs.” https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/dog-cvi/. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
- State of California. “Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for Importing Dogs.” https://www.ca.gov/cvi/. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
- California Department of Food and Agriculture. “Animal Importation Frequently Asked Questions.” https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/FAQS.html. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
- California Department of Food and Agriculture. “Information About Livestock & Pet Movement (Entry Requirements).” https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/Entry_Requirements.html. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
- California Department of Food and Agriculture. “Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) Requirements” (PDF). https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/pdfs/CVIRequirements.pdf. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.