WASHINGTON, D.C. (AVC News) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new actions Monday aimed at strengthening federal oversight of companion animal welfare, including dog breeding facilities and other operations covered by federal animal protection laws.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced the measures during a Strikeforce roundtable with representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Justice and inspector general offices.
The USDA said it plans to propose updated Animal Welfare Act standards in 2027 following a review of 7,522 public comments submitted in response to a request for information. The department said the proposed updates will address humane care, medical care, exercise, socialization, record keeping and research use involving dogs.
The USDA also said it has sent more than 2,000 regulatory refresher notices to dog breeding facilities to reinforce requirements for humane care.
A new Animal Protection Bureau has been deployed by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to strengthen oversight and enforcement. According to the department, the unit conducts compliance reviews, supports investigations and works with inspectors, veterinary officers and legal partners to identify unlicensed or unauthorized operations.
The USDA Office of Inspector General also plans to increase by 20% the number of special agent investigators working on animal fighting and related matters during the coming year, according to the department.
The USDA said it took action against repeat violators in 2026 by denying or terminating eight dog breeder licenses, suspending six licenses and revoking five. The department also said it worked with the Justice Department on a serious-danger case involving a dog breeder and supported criminal investigations involving three facilities with dogs.
The department said it plans to review within six months all dog breeders who surrendered a USDA or equivalent state license during the previous two years. The USDA said it will pursue enforcement against operators found to be attempting to circumvent the Animal Welfare Act.
The department also reported conducting more than 2,000 Animal Welfare Act inspections of dog breeders and brokers in 2026. It said 98 inspectors completed a new four-part refresher training program and that additional inspection tools have been introduced.
The USDA said it has also worked with the Justice Department on three injunctive actions against high-risk facilities and supported five criminal investigations with veterinary and forensic assistance.
The department said it expanded veterinary recruitment during fiscal year 2026, hiring a dozen new veterinarians and recruiting six veterinary students for future public-service positions.
The USDA said its animal welfare efforts also include a new public awareness initiative and improvements to its online tools for accessing inspection and enforcement information.
Rollins said the new measures are intended to improve animal welfare standards, training and oversight of facilities regulated under federal law.
The announcement comes as the USDA continues its work under the Animal Welfare Act and Horse Protection Act, which establish federal requirements governing certain animal facilities and activities.
Last Updated on September 22, 2026 by AVC News
