How Do I Get a Dog Breeder's License for Illinois?

A dog-breeding facility in Illinois must meet many requirements before a license will be issued. Learn about the Illinois dog breeder license process and regulations before submitting your application. It can ensure that your license will be issued in a timely manner. Illinois dog breeder licenses are good for one year, from July 1 through June 30 of the following year.

Things You'll Need

  • Illinois form AW-1
  • Check or money order
  • Envelope
  • Business records
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Instructions

    • 1

      Print the Illinois Department of Agriculture License application, otherwise known as form AW-1, which is found at www.agr.state.il.us/Forms under Animal Welfare. Familiarize yourself with the regulations for becoming a licensed Illinois dog breeder (please see references for the links). You must be in compliance with all regulations within 60 days of applying for the Illinois dog breeder license or you will forfeit your $25 application fee and have to resubmit your application.

    • 2

      Fill out the application entirely. You will be required to supply a bank reference and two professional or business references, along with other information about your business, such as property details, business records, animal health records, sales records and your veterinarian information. This application also contains a Social Security number statement form that must be filled out and signed in order to comply with child support laws or your application will not be processed.

    • 3

      Make copies of all documents showing that your business is registered with the state of Illinois under an assumed name pursuant to the Illinois Assumed Business Name Act. Include these copies with your completed application.

    • 4

      Write a check or money order for $25 payable to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The completed application, Social Security form, payment and assumed business name document should all be mailed in one envelope to:

      Illinois Department of Agriculture

      State Fairgrounds

      P.O. Box 19281

      Springfield, IL 62794-9281

    • 5

      Prepare your facility before the official inspection. An on-site facility inspection will normally take place within three weeks of the application being submitted. If your facility fails the inspection, you may be able to enter into a Work Progress Agreement with Illinois. The Work Progress Agreement will outline what specific steps you must take in order for your facility to pass an inspection.