It seems no one is safe from the government, no matter what animals you have.

[angllady2]

http://www.naturalnews.com/032476_rabbits_USDA.html

Gale

[zeion97]

umm... I can't say anything but wow... I really don't know what to say to be honest..

[Pickenprod]

Wow, this is scary. Apparently working at Walmart is now the only government-approved source of income.

[heathers*bps]

I think this is absolutely ridiculousness!!! That poor family!

[KatStoverReptiles]

My advice to them would be to hire a lawyer, which I assume they already are. Maybe the lawyer can get the USDA to reveal the law they were violating. That's ridiculous!!

[sgath92]

From the American Rabbit Breeders Association:

Usually no licensing is required for the production of rabbits for meat as long as the zoning requirements are not violated. However, that is not true when the production of rabbits extend to the 'pet' market. It is possible that the rabbitry would need to be licensed and inspected under the guidelines of the Animal Welfare Act enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In short, licensing is required for breeders who supply more than $500 of rabbits to a wholesale facility/buyer. Direct pet sales to the consumer are not included in the $500 threshold. If there are no pet sales to a wholesale or resale facility, inspections by the USDA are not required. The $500 threshold also covers producers supplying rabbits to research facilities.

Basically if John Doe is selling rabbits for meat or fur, no licensing on the federal level is required. If John Doe is selling rabbits to individuals for use as pets, no licensing is required. But sell $500 in rabbits to a company not intending to use them for fur or meat [such as a pet shop(s), research facility, probably also zoos & amusement parks] then you need a federal license.

According to the feds, the law includes "...for certain animals bred for commercial sale, used in research, transported commercially, or exhibited to the public."

See: http://awic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display...ment_default=0

Sounds like they're screwed.

[Alex.B]

glad I'm Canadian

[The Serpent Merchant]

glad I'm Canadian

seriously considering becoming one at this point

[decensored]

glad I'm Canadian

took the words eight out of my mouth.

[kitedemon]

It is a good argument for incorporating a business at any size for any breeding. All the government could (or anyone) is bankrupt the business and in this case that is a very very small amount of the total fine. The Moral of this is know all the laws that effect what you are doing and keep for personal finances and business finances completely separate (in this case the small •tiny• business would be bankrupt instantly). I feel very sorry for them but it seems they are in deep trouble with no way out.