The actual rule is at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/. From the Q and A PDF:
We are proposing to revise the definition of retail pet store and related regulations to bring more pet animals sold at retail under the protection of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Specifically, we would narrow the definition of retail pet store so that it means a place of business or residence that each buyer physically enters in order to personally observe the animals available for sale prior to purchase and/or to take custody of the animals after purchase, and where only certain animals are sold or offered for sale, at retail, for use as pets. Retail pet stores are not required to be licensed and inspected under the AWA. We are also proposing to increase from three to four the number of breeding female dogs, cats, and/or small exotic or wild mammals that a person may maintain on his or her premises and be exempt from the licensing and inspection requirements if he or she sells only the offspring of those animals born and raised on his or her premises, for pets or exhibition.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_welfare/2012/retail_pets_faq.pdf
While I do allow people to come look at my dogs, I have taken deposits before people actually choose puppies. That would be monetary exchange before the people physically see the dog, which would be a "no no". Also, you seem to think that shipping semen would be the answer to everything, but what if I wanted to purchase a dog from a breeder who is no longer able to ship? Bloodlines would certainly suffer, because outside of semen shipment, you would not be able to obtain an outcross OR whatever specific line without doing that. Not to mention, shipping of semen would be a PIA as well as costly, with less of a chance of it working.
Ironically, I'm looking into having my male's semen frozen, I will still do this as he is absolutely wonderful and needs to be saved to be used at a future time, but this did give me a brief pause. Personally, I would not have to change much outside of not taking deposits until people see the dogs first, but that is still a hindrance. I have also offered to meet people halfway if we're planning a trip, that would be out. I do not show my dogs, but I can imagine this impacting those that do show dogs and may not necessarily have many litters. Breeds will suffer.
In the end though, it's about control, not the dogs or cats or rats (yes, RATS!), all of which is included in this catch-all regulation.
Hmm... I cannot find the actual rule changes, just a thumbnail description. From the Q&A, it appears that proposed rules are more restrictive than a lot of the state and local puppy mill rules. Not good... I don’t know who they think will enforce these, as the current state and local rules are essentially unenforceable due to lack of manpower, unless someone complains...
We also take deposits, but not on a specific dog, so that might skirt the rules... We don’t select the puppies that will go to specific owners until late in the process.
And I don’t think that shipped semen is the be-all-end-all answer, but it is affordable (for the most part) and doable by any competent vet across the country. It is not as “exotic” as it used to be for dogs... The conception rate for shipped semen/AI are just as good as normal breeding, if you have competent vets on both sides and there are no other issues with the dogs; just like normal breeding. You just have to do your normal homework and due diligence.
And if you want a puppy/dog from someone who cannot ship, you would just have to arrange for transport on your own. I don’t see any problem with that, as we cannot ship for about 3/4 of the year, due to shipping heat restrictions. (And I dislike air shipping anyway...)
Don’t take my arguments to say that I am on-board with this sort of rule change. I hate it, and I dislike anyone telling me how to run my hobby/business when they have never done it, and haven’t a clue on what they are dealing with. This is just one more reason to run under the radar as much as possible...