Last updated 2026-08-18
TL;DR
Colorado licenses catteries under PACFA, not a separate "cattery license." You need one if you keep 3 or more breeding females or sell 24 or more cats a year. Renewal runs $200 to $1,000 by capacity. File at least 30 days before expiration and pass an annual inspection. Sell sight-unseen and you renew a USDA license too, on its own yearly clock.
Do you need a license for a cattery in Colorado?
Colorado has no standalone "cattery license." It regulates any place that houses cats for breeding, sale, or transfer under the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA), and the license attaches to the facility [1][2].
There's one exemption that matters. State law defines a "hobby breeder" as "any person who keeps fewer than three female dogs or cats for breeding purposes and who sells or transfers fewer than twenty-four pet animals in any one calendar year from the hobby breeder's premises" [1]. Stay under both numbers and you skip PACFA. Cross either one (three or more intact breeding females, or 24 sold in a year) and you're a commercial facility that has to be licensed.
Federal rules can catch you even inside the state exemption. The USDA requires an Animal Welfare Act license for anyone selling cats sight-unseen, meaning to pet stores, brokers, or online buyers you never meet face to face. A small Colorado cattery selling kittens to families in the living room may owe neither license. Ship one kitten to an out-of-state buyer you never met, and USDA licensing kicks in.
Then there's the local layer. Plenty of Colorado counties and cities want a general business license or a specific kennel or cattery permit on top of the state license. Call your county clerk. Those renewals run on their own calendars, separate from state and federal.
How much does cattery renewal cost in Colorado?
PACFA renewal fees scale with the maximum number of animals your facility can hold, not how many you keep today. The Colorado Department of Agriculture publishes this schedule under Rule 3.2 [3].
| Animal Capacity | Annual Renewal Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 to 25 animals | $200 |
| 26 to 50 animals | $400 |
| 51 to 75 animals | $600 |
| 76 to 100 animals | $800 |
| 101+ animals | $1,000 |
Miss the expiration date and a late fee adds 50 percent to the annual amount [5]. A 26-animal cattery that files late pays $400 plus a $200 penalty, so $600 out the door.
USDA renewal for breeders (Class A) uses a different math. The fee is a $10 base plus a per-female charge that climbs with your herd [9]. The rates: $2 for each of the first 50 females, $4 for females 51 to 150, $6 for 151 to 500, $10 for 501 to 750, $15 for 751 to 1,000, and $25 for each over 1,000. A typical Colorado cattery with 8 breeding females owes $10 plus (8 times $2), so $26. Run 20 females and you pay $50.
No bundle, no discount. Owe both licenses and you pay both in full.
How long does cattery renewal take in Colorado?
Give PACFA two months, start to finish. The Department has to receive your completed renewal at least 30 days before your license expires [4]. CDA usually mails a renewal packet around 60 days out, which leaves you about a month to pull documents, fill the form, and cut a check [7].
Submitting isn't the finish line. The renewal stalls until you pass inspection, and Rule 4.1 requires an inspection at least once per license year [6]. Schedule early, pass clean, and the whole thing can close inside 4 to 6 weeks of mailing. Summer backs the inspectors up, though, and availability can slip past 8 weeks. Plan for the full two months and be pleasantly surprised.
USDA runs on its own track. APHIS mails a renewal notice roughly 60 days before your license expires [8]. You send back the form and payment, and processing usually takes a couple of weeks. No inspection is triggered by the renewal itself unless your facility was flagged before. A random compliance visit can still land any time, and failing one freezes the renewal.
Colorado PACFA renewal step-by-step
Watch the mail for the renewal packet from CDA. It usually lands about 60 days before expiration. Haven't seen it 45 days out? Call the PACFA program at (303) 869-9146 or email pacfa@state.co.us and ask for a blank form.
Fill out the renewal application. You update your animal capacity, list current breeding females and total animals on site, and show your facility still meets local zoning [10]. Clip a copy of your current county or city business license to it if you hold one.
Mail or hand-deliver the form with the right fee. CDA still runs on paper here. Include a check payable to "Colorado Department of Agriculture." If you're already inside the 30-day window, send it certified so you have a dated proof of mailing.
Once CDA logs your paperwork, they reach out to schedule the on-site inspection. Have the facility clean, records in order, and your veterinary care plan printed. The inspector checks housing, sanitation, food and water, medical records, and your disaster plan. Pass, and the renewed license comes back by mail within a few weeks.
The CatteryPath $149 USDA + State Cattery Kit includes a PACFA renewal checklist, sample veterinary plans, and fillable forms matched to Colorado's current rules. It's not legal advice, and it won't pretend to be. What it does is save you hours of hunting for the right document. (Grab it at /start.)
USDA cattery license renewal for Colorado breeders
USDA licenses renew every year. APHIS mails a renewal notice to your address on file about 60 days before expiration [8]. Move without updating your address and the notice never reaches you, so keep your contact info current with the Animal Care office.
You complete APHIS Form 7003, "Application for License." It's the same form for a renewal as for a first-time application. Mark your license class (Class A for breeders) and your current animal count. The fee comes straight from 9 CFR section 2.6 [9]. Write a check or money order for the exact amount and mail it to the address on the form.
Processing usually runs 2 to 4 weeks. There's no required pre-renewal inspection, but inspectors can show up unannounced any day. Fail an inspection during the renewal window and the license waits until you fix the violations.
Here's the trap that catches people: a hobby breeder sells one kitten online and quietly trips the USDA requirement. If you've never held a USDA license but you plan to sell over the internet, you need an initial license before there's anything to renew. That first process takes months, not weeks. Start it well ahead of any listing going live.
What paperwork do you need for a Colorado cattery renewal?
For PACFA, pull these together: the completed renewal application from the packet, proof of local zoning compliance (a letter from your city or county planning department, or a copy of your home occupation permit), a copy of any current local business license, and your veterinary care protocol signed by a vet. A copy of last year's license helps the process along but isn't required.
USDA renewal wants APHIS Form 7003, a current animal inventory (females, males, juveniles), and the fee. You don't resubmit your floor plan or vet care plan unless something changed.
Smart breeders also keep a folder with the last inspection report and any agency correspondence. It speeds the inspector along and signals you run a tight operation.
Common renewal mistakes and how to avoid them
Missed deadlines cost the most. One day late on PACFA tacks 50 percent onto your fee [5]. A lapsed USDA license means you can't legally sell until it's reinstated. Set two alarms: one at 75 days before expiration to start gathering documents, one at 45 days to mail the renewal.
Understating capacity is the next trap. Room for 30 cats but only 15 in the house today still means the 26-to-50 tier, because the rule sets fees by "the maximum number of animals that can be maintained in the facility at any one time" [3]. Report it straight.
Leaving the breeding female count stale on USDA forms leads to underpayment and a possible fine. That per-female fee is due whether or not a given female had a litter this year.
Skipping inspection prep is the last one. The inspector reads records, checks surfaces and ventilation, and even looks at vermin control logs. A dirty floor or a missing vaccination record can push your renewal back weeks.
When to start the Colorado cattery renewal process
Start 90 days out. Ask CDA for a blank renewal form if your packet went missing. Order any updated local business licenses or zoning letters early, since some city halls take 2 to 3 weeks to turn those around. Schedule your PACFA inspection the moment CDA opens the window after receiving your application. For USDA, answer the renewal notice the week it shows up.
A license that expires during summer or around the holidays runs straight into full inspector calendars. Early filing buys you slack. It also keeps you legal if a surprise sale pushes you past the hobby threshold, and you want a current license in hand before those kittens go home.
What happens if your Colorado cattery license lapses?
A PACFA license renewed within 60 days after expiration costs a late fee of 50 percent of the annual amount [5]. Past 60 days, renewal is off the table. You apply as a brand-new applicant, which means a full pre-licensing inspection, possible added fees, and a longer wait. The initial application fee was $250 as of 2024, a bit above the base renewal for small facilities.
A lapsed USDA license stops you from selling regulated animals until a new one issues. You file a new application, pay the initial fee, and take an inspection. There's no easy grace period. The agency treats your facility as though you were never licensed.
PACFA inspection checklist for cattery renewal
Inspectors work from Rule 8 CCR 1201-11. The physical list: clean and structurally sound enclosures; proper lighting and ventilation; clean food and water containers; a separate quarantine area for sick animals; a written veterinary care plan with proof of current vet visits; daily sanitation logs; a disaster plan; and identification on each cat (microchip or collar tag).
On paper, have the last 12 months of health records, sales or transfer records, and proof of county zoning approval. A single binder on the kitchen table does the job. If you also hold a USDA license, the inspector may check Animal Welfare Act compliance, but the PACFA inspection stands on its own.
Local licenses and other renewals to track
Denver, Boulder, El Paso County, and many other places require a separate business license or a specific kennel permit. Renewal cycles differ: some annual, some every two years. Fees run from $25 to $200 depending on the jurisdiction. Check your county clerk's website. A lapsed local license can void your state license, because PACFA requires evidence of local compliance [10].
Think about a sales tax license too if you charge tax on kittens. Colorado sales tax applies to retail pet sales in some jurisdictions, and the Department of Revenue runs its own renewal.
If you're comparing across the region, we have guides for neighboring states: cattery renewal in Arizona, cattery renewal in California, cattery renewal in Idaho, and cattery renewal in Connecticut. A move across state lines changes everything, so read those before you pack.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license for a cattery in Colorado?
It depends. Fewer than three intact breeding females and fewer than 24 cats sold a year directly from your premises makes you a hobby breeder, exempt from PACFA. Cross either threshold and you need a state license. Separately, selling any cat sight-unseen (online, to a pet store, or a broker) triggers a federal USDA license no matter what the state exemption says.
How much does cattery renewal cost in Colorado?
PACFA renewal runs from $200 for a 0-to-25 animal capacity up to $1,000 for 101 or more. Late renewals add a 50 percent penalty. USDA renewal for breeders starts at $10 plus a per-female charge: $2 each for the first 50 females, $4 for 51 to 150, and higher rates above that.
How long does cattery renewal take in Colorado?
Plan on 6 to 8 weeks for PACFA. You file at least 30 days before expiration, then schedule and pass an inspection. Processing and inspection typically wrap in 4 to 6 weeks, but summer backlogs stretch it. USDA is faster, usually 2 to 4 weeks after you mail the form, assuming no inspection flags.
Can I renew my Colorado PACFA license online?
As of the last published program update, CDA does not offer a fully online renewal portal for PACFA. You mail or deliver the paper form with a check. Check the current CDA PACFA licensing page before you file in case that changes.
What if I move my cattery to a new address?
Notify the Colorado Department of Agriculture before you move. A new location triggers a fresh zoning review and likely an inspection, and your license does not transfer automatically. For USDA, file a change of address right away. The license follows you, but a new pre-use inspection may be required at the new site.
Does my Colorado cattery need liability insurance to renew?
PACFA does not explicitly require general liability insurance. Proof of insurance is often mandatory for local business licensing, though. Some cities and counties list it as a condition of a kennel or home-occupation permit, so check with your municipal clerk before you assume you're clear.
What records must I keep for PACFA renewal?
Keep 12 months of veterinary care records (vaccinations, exams, treatments), daily sanitation logs, a written disaster plan, and sales or transfer records for every cat that left your facility. The inspector reviews all of these during the renewal inspection, so keep them together and current.
Is a cattery treated the same as a dog kennel under Colorado law?
Yes. PACFA's "pet animal facility" covers any place where dogs or cats are kept for breeding, sale, transfer, or boarding. The same fee schedule, inspection rules, and hobby breeder exemption apply to both. The word "cattery" never appears in the statute, but it's treated exactly like a kennel for cats.
How often does USDA renew a cattery license?
Annually. USDA licenses expire one year from the issue date. You renew before that date to keep selling regulated cats. The renewal notice arrives about 60 days ahead, and processing runs 2 to 4 weeks.
Can I transfer a Colorado PACFA license to a new owner?
No. Licenses are non-transferable. Sell the cattery business and the new owner applies for their own license. The same rule holds for USDA licenses. A change in ownership voids the existing license entirely, so the buyer starts fresh.
What happens if an inspection fails during renewal?
The state issues a report of noncompliant items. You get a set window, often 10 to 14 days, to fix them, and a follow-up inspection confirms the repairs. Renewal waits until everything passes. USDA works the same way, but the corrective deadline can be as short as 24 hours for severe problems.
Do I need a separate county license to renew my cattery?
Many Colorado counties require a general business license or a specific home-occupation permit for a cattery. PACFA requires proof of local compliance as part of the renewal, so any required local license has to be current before you submit your state renewal.
Sources
- Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 35 Article 80, § 35-80-102: Definition of hobby breeder: fewer than 3 breeding females, sells fewer than 24 animals per year; exemption from PACFA licensing.
- 8 CCR 1201-11 Rule 2.1, Pet Animal Care Facilities Program Rules: No person may operate a pet animal facility without first obtaining a license from the Department.
- 8 CCR 1201-11 Rule 3.2, Pet Animal Care Facilities Program Rules: Annual license fee schedule based on maximum animal capacity: $200 for 0-25, $400 for 26-50, $600 for 51-75, $800 for 76-100, $1,000 for 101+.
- 8 CCR 1201-11 Rule 5.1, Pet Animal Care Facilities Program Rules: Renewal application must be submitted to the Department at least 30 days prior to license expiration.
- 8 CCR 1201-11 Rule 5.3, Pet Animal Care Facilities Program Rules: Late renewal fee equal to 50% of the annual license fee if application received after expiration date.
- 8 CCR 1201-11 Rule 4.1, Pet Animal Care Facilities Program Rules: All pet animal facilities shall be inspected by the Department at least once per license year.
- Colorado Department of Agriculture, PACFA Licensing page: CDA sends renewal packets approximately 60 days before license expiration.
- 9 CFR § 2.6, eCFR: Annual license fee for Class A breeders: $10 base plus per breeding female charges ($2 for first 50, $4 for 51-150, $6 for 151-500, $10 for 501-750, $15 for 751-1000, $25 over 1000).
- 8 CCR 1201-11 Rule 2.4, Pet Animal Care Facilities Program Rules: Applicant must provide evidence of compliance with local zoning requirements.