The Evolving Legislative Landscape for Dog Breeders in Ontario

The History of Breeding in Canada 

Ontario has lacked province-wide regulations for breeders with no licensing, no registration requirements, and no limits on the number of animals kept or bred. While some municipalities have minor rules, such as caps on the number of dogs per household or kennel, these are far from comprehensive. This article outlines the new legislation and the roadmap of new legislation to expect in the near future.

Ontario's Bill 159

Ontario's Bill 159, the Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act, was passed in June 2024 as an amendment to the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019. It is a start, a step toward curbing unethical dog breeding practices in the province.

Key Provisions of Bill 159:

• Record-Keeping Requirements: Breeders are mandated to maintain detailed records concerning their dogs

• Regulation of Dog Sales and Transfers: The bill empowers the government to establish regulations governing the sale or transfer of dogs, aiming to ensure ethical practices in these transactions.

• Prohibition of Puppy Mills: Operating puppy mills is explicitly banned. The legislation defines a puppy mill as any breeding operation that engages in practices such as:

• Breeding a female dog more than three times within a two-year span or from consecutive heat cycles

• Breeding female dogs under 12 months old

• Separating puppies from their mothers before eight weeks of age

• And more (read here)

What's to Come in the Breeding World

Animal Justice’s Plan to End Unethical Breeding

Animal Justice is Canada’s national animal law advocacy organization working to protect new animal protection laws. Bill 159 is just a starting point for additional legislation to safeguard dogs and puppies from inhumane treatment and to alleviate the strain on rescues and shelters caused by unchecked breeding. Provincial governments are being heavily encouraged to consider the following additional measures:

1. Introduce a Licensing System for Breeders
   Implement strict licensing requirements that include limits on the number of animals kept and bred, a comprehensive animal welfare plan, mandatory record-keeping, and pre-licensing inspections.

2. Enforce High Standards of Animal Welfare
   Ensure breeders provide adequate space, exercise, proper housing, nutritious food, clean water, regular veterinary care, humane handling, socialization opportunities, and good hygiene. Prohibit harmful practices like ear cropping and tail docking.

3. Conduct Routine, Unannounced Inspections
   Perform regular surprise inspections at licensed breeding facilities to ensure compliance and transparency. Publicly share inspection reports online to build trust and accountability.

4. Limit the Scale of Breeding Operations
   Set clear restrictions on the number of animals breeders can keep and the number of litters a single animal can produce. This will prevent large-scale breeding operations and protect animals from exploitation.

5. Prohibit Animal Sales in Pet Stores and on Classified Websites
   Ban the sale of dogs and other animals in pet stores and on platforms like Kijiji and Craigslist. Cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Cambridge have already implemented similar measures. Instead, encourage partnerships with shelters and rescues to help animals find loving homes.

6. Raise Public Awareness About Dog Breeding
   Launch educational initiatives to inform the public about the risks and ethical issues associated with irresponsible breeding, while promoting adoption from shelters and rescues as the preferred option.