Breeder Legal Requirements Guide | Registration for Animal Handling Business and Related Regulations | ブリちょく
General| ✍️ BreederDirect Editorial
Breeder Legal Requirements Guide | Registration for Animal Handling Business and Related Regulations
Explains the legal requirements necessary for breeders. Covers registration procedures for Class 1 animal handling business, required training, and record-keeping.
Key Takeaways
Explains the legal requirements necessary for breeders. Covers registration procedures for Class 1 animal handling business, required training, and record-keeping.
Related Species
Breeder Legal Requirements Guide | Registration for Animal Handling Business and Related Regulations
Breeders who sell pets in Japan are subject to registration and obligations based on multiple laws, including the Animal Welfare and Management Act. Understanding and properly responding to these legal requirements—which cannot be overlooked—is the first step toward becoming a trusted breeder. This article provides clear explanations of the regulations essential for operating as a breeder.
---
Class 1 Animal Handling Business Registration
When selling, breeding, or exhibiting animals as a business, registration with the prefectural governor is mandatory under the Animal Welfare and Management Act (Dōbutsu Aikogo Kanri Hō). Individual breeders are no exception; even as a side business, registration is required if the scale and frequency meet the threshold of being conducted "as a business."
Main Business Types Requiring Registration
Sales: Selling dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, and other animals
Breeding: Keeping and managing animals for breeding purposes
Exhibition: Operating facilities for the purpose of displaying animals
Operating animal sales without registration can result in fines of up to ¥1 million. Even when starting as a side business, it is critical to consult with your prefectural government office in advance.
---
Requirements and Registration Process
Class 1 animal handling business registration requires meeting certain requirements and completing the application procedure.
Key Requirements
Appointment of Animal Handling Manager: At least one person must be appointed per business location. To qualify, the appointee must meet one of the following: ①at least six months of practical experience, ②a relevant qualification such as Companion Animal Care Manager, or ③completion of a prescribed course at a vocational school or equivalent.
✍️
BreederDirect Editorial
The BreederDirect editorial team specializes in care information for animals, covering veterinary care and breeding to deliver beginner-friendly guides.
Securing Business Premises: While home-based operations are acceptable, the facility must meet government-specified standards regarding space, hygiene, and other criteria.
Compliance with Animal Husbandry Standards: You are obligated to maintain standards ensuring animal health, safety, and hygiene (cage size, water/feed provision methods, temperature control, etc.).
Registration Procedure Flow
Initial consultation with the prefectural animal welfare and management center or health office
On-site facility inspection (official verification of standards compliance)
Issuance of registration certificate (valid for 5 years; renewal required thereafter)
After registration, you must display a registration notice in a visible location at your business premises.
---
Record-Keeping and Information Disclosure Obligations
Registered breeders are obligated to maintain records of sold animals in a ledger and retain them for a specified period.
Key Items Requiring Documentation
Animal species, breed, sex, and quantity
Date of birth (estimated date if exact date unknown)
Source of acquisition or breeding origin information
Buyer's name, address, and contact information
Date and price of sale
Date of in-person explanation and summary of content
These records serve as evidence in cases of health issues or ownership disputes involving the animals. Neglecting record-keeping may result in administrative guidance; develop the habit of careful documentation with each sale.
---
Face-to-Face Explanation Obligation and Key Points of the 2021 Legal Amendment
At the time of animal sale, you are obligated to provide a face-to-face explanation to the buyer covering the following matters.
Required Explanation Content
Species and breed-specific characteristics (behavior, lifespan, adult size, etc.)
Appropriate care methods (environment, temperature, diet, etc.)
Common health issues and health management considerations
Equipment and estimated costs required for care
Information on reproductive control (spaying/neutering)
Important Points of the 2021 Legal Amendment
With the June 2021 amendment to the Animal Welfare and Management Act, face-to-face explanation was mandated even for online sales. When conducting transactions through social media or e-commerce sites, you must meet with buyers in person to show them the animal and provide explanation. Video calls are not an acceptable substitute; you must arrange an in-person meeting with distant buyers before handover.
Additionally, for dogs and cats, microchip implantation and registration are now mandatory (mandatory for breeders as of June 2022), and you are required to guide buyers on the procedure for changing registration information at the time of sale.
---
Measures for Designated Animals and CITES Compliance
Regulation of Designated Animal Husbandry
Animals such as crocodiles, venomous snakes, and tarantulas—designated animals that may pose a threat to human life—were effectively prohibited for new private ownership under the June 2019 amendment. Existing keepers require prefectural governor approval, and new commercial sales or breeding are prohibited.
Compliance with the Washington Convention (CITES)
Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which regulates international trade in endangered wildlife, permits are required for importing and exporting designated species. Permits apply to many popular pet species, including parrots, certain turtles, and rare lizards; you must verify in advance whether each animal species you handle is regulated. Violations may result in criminal penalties under foreign exchange law and customs law, separate from the Animal Welfare and Management Act.
---
Brichoku's Safety and Security Framework
Brichoku accepts listings only from registered breeders, making compliance with legal requirements a prerequisite for listing.
Support Provided by Brichoku
Registration Verification System: Class 1 animal handling business registration numbers are confirmed at listing, preventing unregistered operators from listing
Legal Guideline Provision: Regularly updated listing guidelines addressing current regulations, including face-to-face explanation obligations and microchip registration requirements
Transparency to Buyers: Breeder registration information, track record, and ratings are made public, creating an environment for confident transactions
Dispute Support Desk: A consultation point for questions or issues arising from transactions, ensuring both parties can use the platform with confidence
By connecting properly registered breeders with informed buyers based on trustworthy information, Brichoku aims to realize a transparent marketplace for safe and secure live animal transactions. If you have questions about legal requirements, please feel free to contact your prefectural government office or Brichoku's support desk.
