Methodology

How to read the USDA records that power Pawthenticity profiles — what a license means, what a non-compliant item is, how dog counts are calculated, and the limits of what these records can tell you.

For how the site as a whole is built, sourced, and contributed to, see How We Work.

Where does Pawthenticity get its data?

All breeder data on Pawthenticity comes from public government records. Most of it is from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Public Search Tool, which posts inspection reports for federally licensed dog breeders. We also use state licensing records, the Humane Society of the United States Horrible Hundred report, and CAPS investigation findings where available.

The USDA’s tool is at: aphis.my.site.com/PublicSearchTool

What is a USDA license?

A USDA license is a federal permit that lets a person breed and sell dogs commercially under the Animal Welfare Act. It is required for breeders with more than four breeding females who sell dogs sight-unseen — meaning by website, phone, or shipping. Breeders who only sell in-person to buyers, or who have four or fewer breeding females, do not need a USDA license.

A USDA license is a baseline legal requirement, not a quality stamp. It means a breeder is registered with the federal government and subject to inspections. It does not mean the breeder has been judged “good” or “ethical.”

Since 2023, USDA licenses last three years and cost a flat $120 fee.

Does a USDA license mean a breeder is reputable?

No. A USDA license is not an endorsement. It means the breeder meets the minimum legal standards under the Animal Welfare Act. Many people use the words “USDA-licensed” as a marketing term, but the license itself only confirms the breeder is registered and inspected. It says nothing about breeding practices, dog temperament, or buyer experience.

A USDA license is a starting point for research, not a stopping point.

How do USDA inspections work?

USDA inspections are unannounced visits where a federal inspector checks a breeder’s facility against Animal Welfare Act standards. The inspector reviews housing, food, water, veterinary care, sanitation, and records. If the inspector finds a problem, it is recorded as a non-compliant item on a public report. The breeder is then expected to fix the issue.

How often a breeder is inspected depends on their compliance history. Breeders with past issues may be inspected more often. Breeders with clean records may be inspected less often.

Inspections are a snapshot in time. They show what an inspector saw on one day.

What is a non-compliant item?

A non-compliant item, or NCI, is something a USDA inspector found that did not meet Animal Welfare Act standards. NCIs range from minor paperwork issues to serious animal welfare problems. A “direct” non-compliance means the issue had a direct impact on an animal’s health or welfare. A “non-direct” non-compliance means the issue did not directly affect an animal but still broke the rules.

Pawthenticity reports the total count of issues from each inspection. We do not currently distinguish between direct and non-direct items in summary counts, but we describe the actual issues so readers can judge severity for themselves.

What does a follow-up inspection mean?

A follow-up inspection is a return visit by USDA staff to check whether a breeder fixed earlier problems. Follow-ups are not new inspections — they are corrections checks. Pawthenticity excludes follow-up inspections from issue counts and dog counts so the same problem is not double-counted across reports.

Routine inspections, focused inspections from complaints, and pre-license inspections are all counted. Follow-ups and attempted inspections that did not happen are not.

How often is Pawthenticity updated?

We refresh breeder records monthly. USDA typically posts inspection reports within several weeks of an inspection. We aim to update profiles within 30 days of new records appearing in the public search tool. Some profiles update sooner if the data is part of a larger refresh.

If you see information that looks out of date or incorrect, you can contact us through the site and we will review the source records.

How do I report an error or request a correction?

Email us at contact@pawthenticity.org with the breeder name, USDA license number if you have it, and a description of what you believe is incorrect. If your claim contradicts what is in the public records, we will need to see your source. If we made a transcription or formatting error, we will correct it and note the update on the profile.

We do not remove accurate information just because a breeder asks. We do correct errors quickly when they are pointed out.

What are the limits of USDA records?

USDA inspections cover federal Animal Welfare Act standards, which set a minimum bar — not a high one. A breeder can have zero non-compliances and still be a poor fit for a particular family or dog. USDA records do not cover puppy temperament, breeding ethics, post-sale support, or the breeder’s reputation in a specific breed community.

How should I use Pawthenticity records when researching a breeder?

Use them as one piece of your research, not the whole picture. A USDA record can confirm a breeder is licensed and show their inspection history. It cannot replace a facility visit, references from past buyers, breed-club reputation, or a conversation with the breeder.

A good research flow:

  1. Check Pawthenticity for the USDA record and inspection summary.
  2. Visit the breeder in person if possible.
  3. Ask for references from past buyers.
  4. Check breed-club resources for the breed you want.
  5. Ask the breeder direct questions about health testing, contracts, and returns.

Sources we cite

Last reviewed: May 28, 2026. This page is reviewed and updated as USDA rules and reporting practices change.