The Oklahoma State Board of Commercial Pet Breeders decided to adopt annual state inspection fees at its Monday, December 20, meeting.
The fees will affect dog breeders that have 11 or more non-spayed females, according to the Tulsa World. The fees will range from $75 for small-scale operations to $600 for breeders that have more than 200 animals.
"This is just how we're going to generate the revenue to support this organization," Christy Counts, president and board member of the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, told the news source.
The fees will reportedly allow the Oklahoma State Board of Commercial Pet Breeders to become self-sufficient. Specifically, the fees will be used in part to pay people, such as local veterinarians, to inspect breeding facilities.
Breeders will have to pay the fee regardless of whether they are members of the American Kennel Club or voluntarily agree to inspections from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Some breeders are reportedly not happy with the board's decision.
Gary Phillips of G+M Kennels said he will have to pay $450 under the new plan, adding to his costs, which include $30,000 per year to feed his dogs.
The news source reports that at least three puppy mills in the state have closed in the past month.