[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7162-7163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03077]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 2026 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 7162]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
9 CFR Part 3
[Docket No. APHIS-2025-1000]
Standards for the Care of Breeding Female Dogs and Exercise and
Socialization of Dogs
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Request for information (RFI).
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SUMMARY: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the
United States Department of Agriculture is soliciting comments
regarding appropriate standards for the care of breeding female dogs at
dog breeding facilities and exercise and socialization of dogs subject
to the Animal Welfare Act. Information obtained from public comments
will help identify outdated standards, new science, and stakeholder
interest.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March
19, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS-2025-1000 in the Search field. Select
the Documents tab, then select the Comment button in the list of
documents.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send one copy of
your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2025-1000, Regulatory Analysis and
Development, PPD, APHIS, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., #AP760, Beltsville, MD
20705.
Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may
be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov or in our reading room, which
is in room 1620 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure
someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine Jones, Acting Animal
Care Chief of Staff, 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. B, Mailstop 3W11, Fort
Collins, CO 80526; (970) 494-7478.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131-2159, hereafter the AWA)
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards and
other requirements governing the humane care, treatment, and
transportation of certain animals by dealers, research facilities,
exhibitors, carriers, and other regulated entities. Among other things,
section 2143(a) provides that the aforementioned standards must include
minimum requirements for the exercise of dogs as determined by
attending veterinarians in accordance with general standards
promulgated by the Secretary.
The Secretary has delegated the authority for enforcing the AWA to
the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS). Regulations established under the AWA are contained in 9 CFR
parts 1, 2, and 3.
The regulations governing the humane handling, care, treatment, and
transportation of dogs are contained in 9 CFR part 3, subpart A. Within
that subpart, animal husbandry standards for dogs are found in
Sec. Sec. 3.7 through 3.13. Section 3.7 of the subpart contains
compatible grouping standards for dogs; Sec. 3.8 contains exercise
standards; Sec. Sec. 3.9 and 3.10 contain feeding and watering
standards respectively; Sec. 3.11 contains cleaning, sanitation,
housekeeping, and pest control standards; and Sec. 3.13 contains
standards for veterinary care for dogs. (Section 3.12 does not contain
standards for dogs and is focused on employees involved in husbandry
practices and care.)
Sections 3.1 through 3.11 were last substantially revised in a
final rule published in the Federal Register on February 15, 1991 (56
FR 6426-6505; Docket No. 90-218, referred to below as the February 1991
final rule); the standards for veterinary care for dogs found in Sec.
3.13 were added to the regulations in a final rule published in the
Federal Register on May 30, 2020 (85 FR 28772-28799, Docket No. APHIS-
2017-0062, referred to below as the May 2020 final rule).
We are aware that advances continue to be made, new information
developed, and new concepts implemented with regard to the handling and
care of dogs. For example, APHIS is aware of advancements in and
special considerations provided by State laws regarding the care of
breeding females at dog breeding facilities, including ``adequate
rest'' between breeding cycles, minimum and maximum breeding ages, and
pre-breeding examinations and caps on the maximum number of litters
female breeding dogs may have over the course of their lifetime. In
addition, the Croney Research group at Purdue University's College of
Veterinary Medicine (https://www.purdue.edu/vet/discovery/croney/) has
advanced science-based standards for breeding dogs through their
applied research and outreach education programs which inform their
voluntary breeding canine welfare certification program, a program that
addresses behavioral needs of dogs and informs limits for breeding ages
and litter numbers, health requirements, and retirement and rehoming
plans.
We are also aware of enhanced exercise requirements for dogs in
several States that include minimum daily exercise unless
contraindicated and/or otherwise directed by a veterinarian, as well as
socialization requirements, such as positive physical contact with
humans and compatible animals. The American Kennel Club, a canine
welfare and advocacy organization, has also advanced kennel
improvements to enhance dog welfare, including additional space,
enhanced exercise and environmental enrichment, and outdoor access.
In light of these developments, we consider it appropriate to
review and seek data and scientific information on care considerations
for breeding females at dog breeding facilities and the exercise and
socialization needs of dogs, and are soliciting public comment on the
issues outlined below. We invite the submission of data and reviewed
scientific information, and where possible, request citations for any
referenced studies and scientific evidence to support your comments.
[[Page 7163]]
Care Considerations for Breeding Females
Do breeding female dogs require additional veterinary or
other care considerations over those for non-breeding dogs? What are
the most common health issues documented in female breeding dogs?
Are there studies regarding the specific nutrition
requirements during pregnancy and lactation for breeding females?
What scientific evidence is there regarding the impact of
breeding age on the health of breeding females?
What, if any, impact does the number and frequency of
litters have on the health of female dogs? Are there studies evaluating
the impact of breed size on the health and breeding of female dogs?
What scientific evidence is there regarding the impact of
heritable defects on the health of breeding females? What are the costs
and benefits of genetic testing in breeding females for dog breeding
facilities?
Socialization and Exercise of Dogs
Are there studies assessing the socialization needs of
dogs, including interactions with humans and compatible dogs?
Are there studies assessing the health and wellbeing of
singly housed dogs?
What scientific information is available regarding the
exercise needs of dogs, including considerations of the animal's age,
breed, and health, the type of exercise, and exercise frequency and
duration?
Are there studies evaluating the effects of human
interaction on the health and welfare of dogs in breeding facilities?
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2131-2159; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.7.
Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of February 2026.
Jeremy Witte,
Deputy Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, USDA.
[FR Doc. 2026-03077 Filed 2-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P