Unregistered dogs illegal to sell as purebred

Did you know it is a Federal Offence to sell any animal as a purebred if it is not registered with an association incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act?


For many years I have noticed ads for dogs being advertised (and priced accordingly) as purebred dogs, but not registered or "papered". 


Ads such as this one;


Purebred American Staffordshire Terrier puppies for sale


We have 2 females left, the puppies are purebred (not registered/no papers) American Staffordshire Terriers. We have both parents (pictured) that can be viewed. The puppies have had thier first shots, been dewormed and have been vet checked. Puppies are ready to go to new homes. They have been raised in a home with children and other pets and will be great family dogs.


Or this one;


SEEKING an acreage or farm that may want a very loyal companion. At 8 mths old he is very obedient, comes from cougar/bear hunters bloodline. Purebreed (no papers) and his parents/breeder are located aprox 40km west of Edmonton, if wanting to view them. All shots are up to date (UTD) excellent around families/children & other dogs. He enjoys sitting outside in the sun for hours, he would much rather be outside. Reasoning behind getting rid of him is.. NOT a city dog; this breed has an issue with barriers and being in the house all the time when he enjoys just being outside. Hoping to find a good home and or family to take the time he actually needs which we haven't been able to provide.



Any quick search of the want ads will turn up multiple ads such as the examples above. 


The Animal Pedigree Act applies to all purebred animals. Animals must be registered with an association incorporated under the Act. 


The registration means a certificate issued under the authority of the Act for an animal of a distinct breed.


All animals must be tattooed or micro chipped for identification of the animal. 


All purebred animals have a pedigree which means a genealogical table showing the ancestral line of descent of a registered animal.


The purpose of the Act are to promote breed improvement and protect persons who raise and purchase animals.


The determination of what is a purebred of a distinct breed is in accordance with the by-laws of the association incorporated in respect of that distinct breed.


No association may, by its by-laws, determine that an animal is a purebred of a distinct breed if the animal has less than seven-eighths of its inheritance from the foundation stock of the animal's breed or from animals previously registered as purebreds by the association.


The certificate of registration issued must contain the following information;
-The name of the association.
-The animal's mane and particulars of the animals's individual identification.
-The animals' date of birth, sex and identification number.
-The names and identification numbers of the animal's parents.
-The name of the animal's owner.


To read a copy of the by-laws set out by the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) use this link.

OFFENCES (link incl. in title)

Marginal note:No person shall keep records

• 63. (1) Except as authorized by this Act, where an association is authorized by this Act to register or identify animals of a distinct breed or evolving breed, no person shall keep pedigrees in respect of animals of that distinct breed or evolving breed or issue any document purporting to evidence that a particular animal is of that distinct breed or evolving breed or so closely resembling a certificate of registration, or certificate of identification, as the case may be, that it would likely be mistaken for such a certificate.

• Marginal note:No person shall issue document

  (2) No person shall issue in respect of any animal any document of any kind likely to deceive the public into believing that the document is a certificate of registration or certificate of identification in respect of the animal or that the animal is registered or identified under the authority of this Act.

In simple terms it is an offence to issue a certificate the may be mistaken for a registration paper. I have come across some pet stores issuing certificates saying they are "registration papers" but they are not issued by any association. The ones I saw were printed up, likely on the store printer, on a template certificate stating the dog was "x" breed or a health certificate. 

Prohibitions (link incl. in title)

64. No person shall

• (a) knowingly sign or present, or cause or procure to be signed or presented, to a recording officer of any association or of the Corporation any declaration or application in relation to the registration, identification or transfer of ownership of any animal, semen or embryo that contains any material false statement or representation;
• (b) knowingly represent that a certificate of registration or certificate of identification applies to an animal other than the one in respect of which it was issued;
• (c) knowingly represent that a semen certificate or embryo certificate applies to any semen or embryo other than the semen or embryo in respect of which it was issued;
• (d) falsify or alter any certificate of registration, certificate of identification, semen certificate or embryo certificate;
• (e) without an express statement that the animal’s registration or identification is from a jurisdiction other than Canada, offer to sell, contract to sell or sell, as registered or identified, or as eligible to be registered or identified, within or outside the meaning of this Act, any animal that is not registered or identified, or eligible to be registered or identified;
• (f) offer to sell, contract to sell or sell, as recorded, or as eligible to be recorded, in the books of any association, or of the Corporation, any semen or embryo that is not recorded or eligible to be recorded in those books;
• (g) knowingly offer to sell, contract to sell or sell any animal in a manner that is likely to create an erroneous impression that the animal is registered or eligible to be registered;
• (h) offer to sell, contract to sell or sell, as a purebred of a breed, any animal that is not registered or eligible to be registered as a purebred by the association authorized to register animals of that breed or by the Corporation;
• (i) without an express statement that the animal’s registration, identification or status as a purebred is from a jurisdiction other than Canada, offer to sell, contract to sell or sell, as registered or identified, or as a purebred, any animal for which there is no individual identification in accordance with the by-laws of the association that has registered or identified the animal; and
• (j) without an express statement that the animal’s registration, identification or status as a purebred is from a jurisdiction other than Canada and that the animal will not be registered or identified in Canada by the person, sell, as registered or identified, or as eligible to be registered or identified, or as a purebred, any animal without providing to the buyer thereof within six months after the sale the animal’s duly transferred certificate of registration or certificate of identification.

 

In a nutshell, it is prohibited to sell an animal as a purebred unless the animal is registered with an association incorporated in the Act. 


It is important to know your rights as a consumer of an animal. 


Let it be known, it is perfectly legal to sell dogs and puppies as cross bred dogs or mongrels as long as they are not sold under the guise as a purebred breed if not registered. The main point to remember is, no registration with an association incorporated by the Act, no purebred. Doesn't matter what the dog looks like. If both parents of a dog are registered purebreds, the pup is then eligible to be registered. Don't let people lead you to believe it is a huge expense or the animal is going to be more expensive because of the registration. It costs less than $25. to register a puppy if done within 120 days. 

Offence and punishment (link incl. in title)

• 66. (1) Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act or the regulations
  • (a) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars; or
  • (b) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand dollars.

Fairly hefty fine... 


For a complete list of Breed Associations Incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act see this link.