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...