Last updated 2026-08-17
TL;DR
Alabama doesn't have a single "cattery board." You stack two to three layers instead: a state animal dealer or pet shop license from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, a county or city business license, and a USDA Animal Welfare Act license if you sell across state lines or wholesale. Fees start around $50 and can reach several hundred dollars depending on your volume and location.
What does "cattery board" actually mean in Alabama?
"Cattery board" doesn't map to a single Alabama agency or certificate. It's shorthand people use for whatever regulatory body oversees cat breeding and boarding in a given state, and in Alabama that oversight splits across three offices.
At the state level, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) licenses pet dealers, pet shops, and animal shelters under the Alabama Pet Dealers Law, Code of Alabama 1975 sections 2-11-30 through 2-11-42 [1]. If you board cats commercially, meaning people pay you to house their cats, you may fall under the pet dealer definition. If you breed and sell, you almost certainly do.
At the federal level, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) licenses breeders under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) if you sell cats to pet stores, brokers, or across state lines, or if you have more than four breeding females and sell to the public [2]. This is the layer most small breeders miss.
At the local level, your county or city requires a general business license and sometimes a zoning approval or home occupation permit if you're running this out of a residence. Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Mobile each set their own fee schedules. There is no single cattery board in Alabama. You build compliance by checking all three layers.
Do you need a license for a cattery in Alabama?
Yes, almost certainly. Which licenses depend on exactly what you're doing.
The Alabama Pet Dealers Law defines a "pet dealer" as any person who "sells, offers to sell, exchanges, or offers for adoption with or without charge, dogs or cats" and meets a volume or commercial threshold [1]. The statute covers both breeders and boarders operating for profit. Board cats for a fee or sell kittens from your home, and you're in the regulated zone.
The USDA rule is separate and often stricter. Under 9 CFR 2.1, dealers and breeders must obtain an Animal Welfare Act license if they sell cats that were not born and raised on their premises, or if they have more than four breeding females and sell offspring to the public [2]. APHIS published updated definitions in 2013 that closed a loophole for internet sales, so selling kittens entirely online doesn't exempt you [10].
A cattery that boards cats only for existing pet owners (no breeding, no sale of animals) sits in a different spot. You likely don't need a USDA license, but the Alabama Pet Dealers Law may still apply depending on how ADAI reads your operation. The honest move is to call ADAI's Animal Industries division directly before you open. Licensing interpretations are fact-specific, and the staff will tell you where you land.
Local zoning is the third piece. Many Alabama counties cap the number of animals on a residential parcel. Jefferson County, for one, has animal control ordinances that limit pet numbers on residential lots. Check with your county planning office before you sign a lease or start construction.
How much does a cattery license cost in Alabama?
Costs stack. The total depends on your operation size and location. Here's the honest breakdown by layer.
The Alabama Pet Dealers Law authorizes ADAI to set license fees by rule. The fee has historically been modest, in the range of $50 to $200 per year for small-scale operations, but confirm the current figure with ADAI directly because fee rules change without major legislative action [1]. ADAI's Animal Industries division is the authoritative source.
For the USDA Animal Welfare Act license, APHIS charges an annual license fee based on gross annual sales from regulated activities. As of the most recent APHIS fee schedule, Class A licensees (breeders who sell animals they've bred) pay on a sliding scale: $30 per year for less than $500 in annual gross sales, up to $2,230 per year for operations with $1 million or more in sales [3]. Most small Alabama catteries land in the $30 to $420 range. A pre-license inspection is required, and there's no charge for the inspection itself.
City and county business licenses vary widely. Birmingham's business license fees start around $150 and scale with revenue. Huntsville and its surrounding municipalities run separate schedules. Many small-county probate offices charge $50 to $100 for a basic business license. Call your county probate judge's office or city revenue department for the exact number.
Budget for a facility inspection too. ADAI inspects licensed facilities, and APHIS inspects AWA-licensed operations. Neither charges a separate inspection fee, but you need to be ready before you see your first paying customer.
| License layer | Approximate annual cost | Issuing authority |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Pet Dealers License | $50-$200 (confirm with ADAI) | AL Dept. of Agriculture & Industries |
| USDA AWA Class A License | $30-$2,230 (based on gross sales) | USDA APHIS |
| County/City Business License | $50-$200+ (varies by location) | County Probate or City Revenue |
| Zoning/Home Occupation Permit | $0-$150 (varies) | County Planning or City Zoning |
How long does getting a cattery license in Alabama take?
Plan for three to six months end to end. That's the realistic window for a brand-new Alabama cattery operating legally from day one, assuming no zoning complications.
The Alabama state license through ADAI processes in a matter of weeks once your paperwork is complete, though ADAI doesn't publish a formal processing standard. Budget four to eight weeks for the state process, which includes application review and an on-site inspection of your facility.
The USDA AWA path runs longer. APHIS requires you to submit an application, pass a pre-license inspection, and then receive your license. According to APHIS, the pre-license process, from submitting your application to getting your license number after a successful inspection, typically takes 60 to 90 days [4]. Fail the first inspection and the clock restarts for the re-inspection.
Local business licenses are usually the fastest part. Many county probate offices issue them the same day or within a week once you submit the application and fee. Zoning approvals can add weeks or months if your property needs a variance or conditional use permit.
Start the USDA application first since it runs longest. File the state application at the same time. Handle local licensing last since it's quickest.
One thing people underestimate: the facility has to be built and ready to inspect before you get your license. You can't get licensed for a facility that doesn't exist yet. If you're building or retrofitting a space, factor construction time into your pre-opening window.
What are Alabama's specific cattery facility standards?
Alabama's Pet Dealers Law gives ADAI authority to set minimum standards for housing, sanitation, veterinary care, and animal identification. The implementing regulations require adequate space for the animals, proper ventilation, sanitary conditions, and access to food and water [1]. ADAI inspectors use these standards during annual inspections.
For AWA-licensed facilities, the federal Animal Welfare Act regulations at 9 CFR Parts 1-3 set minimum cage sizes, exercise requirements, temperature ranges, lighting, and health records rules [5]. For cats, 9 CFR 3.6 requires a minimum of 3 square feet of floor space per adult cat, with more space required for nursing queens and their litters. The enclosure has to be tall enough for the cat to stand naturally.
Alabama doesn't publish a breed-specific cattery standard separate from ADAI's general pet dealer rules. TICA (The International Cat Association) and CFA publish voluntary cattery standards, but these carry no force of law in Alabama [6]. You meet them to show well or get registry recognition, not to satisfy the state.
Vaccination requirements matter too. Alabama law and ADAI policy require cats in commercial facilities to be currently vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian, consistent with the state's rabies control requirements under Code of Alabama 3-7A-1 et seq [7]. Get a working relationship with a local vet before you open.
Do small or home-based catteries in Alabama need to register?
This is where most first-timers get it wrong. People assume a hobby-scale home cattery falls under some threshold that exempts them. Sometimes it does. Often it doesn't.
The USDA AWA has an explicit small breeder exemption: if you have four or fewer breeding females and sell only to the public (not to dealers or pet stores), you don't need an AWA license regardless of the number of litters [2]. This is a real exemption, and it covers a lot of backyard catteries.
Alabama's state law doesn't publish the same clean numerical threshold in the statute itself. ADAI has discretion in how it applies the pet dealer definition, and a very small operation selling occasional litters privately might not be pursued. But "might not be pursued" is not the same as "exempt." If you want certainty, call ADAI and describe your operation. Get the answer in writing if you can.
Local rules are the wildcard. Some Alabama municipalities cap household cats at four to six animals regardless of licensing status. Madison County, Jefferson County, and several smaller cities all have animal control ordinances worth checking before you plan your breeding stock numbers.
One useful resource for organizing paper across the state and federal forms is the CatteryPath state kit at /start, which packages Alabama-specific form checklists and contacts into one document. A kit organizes your paper path. It doesn't replace a call to ADAI or APHIS.
How does Alabama compare to neighboring states for cattery licensing?
Alabama sits in the middle of the regional range for cattery regulation intensity. Florida runs more detailed commercial cat facility rules through its Division of Animal Industry and requires a Class III license for pet dealers with specific square footage and inspection requirements [8]. Georgia's Department of Agriculture licenses pet dealers under a structure similar to Alabama's but has published more explicit fee tiers. Arkansas has historically had lighter-touch state oversight for small catteries, worth noting if you're near the state line and weighing options.
For readers weighing geographic options, the cattery board in Georgia and cattery board in Florida guides compare the licensing burden a few hundred miles in either direction.
The federal USDA AWA layer is identical in all states since it's federal law. The variation is entirely at the state and local levels. Alabama's state fee burden for a small breeder is on the lower end regionally, but the local layer adds more cost in metro counties than in rural ones.
| State | State pet dealer license? | Approx. state fee | Separate cattery category? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes (ADAI) | ~$50-$200 | No, falls under pet dealer |
| Florida | Yes (FDACS) | $150-$500+ | Yes, Class III |
| Georgia | Yes (GDA) | $100-$300 | No, falls under pet dealer |
| Tennessee | Yes (TDAFF) | $50-$200 | No, falls under pet dealer |
| Mississippi | Limited state oversight | Varies | No formal cattery license |
What ongoing compliance does an Alabama cattery need after opening?
Getting licensed is a one-time sprint. Staying licensed is a recurring system.
ADAI licenses renew annually. You'll pay the renewal fee, keep your facility clean, and pass periodic unannounced inspections. If ADAI inspectors find violations, they issue a notice and give you a correction window. Repeated violations or major welfare violations can result in license suspension or revocation under Code of Alabama 2-11-40 [1].
USDA AWA licenses also renew annually. APHIS inspectors conduct unannounced inspections at least once per year. Inspection reports are public records, searchable through the USDA APHIS Animal Care public search tool [9]. Potential clients, cat registries, and journalists search that database. A clean inspection history matters for your reputation, more than for your legal standing.
Record-keeping is a real obligation under AWA. For each cat, you're required to maintain an acquisition record, a description of the animal, and a disposition record. APHIS can request these during any inspection. The records must be kept for at least one year after disposition of the animal [5].
Rabies vaccination certificates need to be current. Depending on the vaccine, that's every one to three years per cat. Keep a physical file or digital record for each animal. If an inspector asks and you can't produce it, that's a violation.
For pedigreed catteries, registry membership (TICA, CFA, ACFA) carries its own renewal fees and cattery inspection requirements, but those are voluntary program rules, not Alabama law [6].
What does USDA APHIS require beyond the state license?
The federal AWA layer trips up a lot of Alabama breeders who think state licensing is the whole picture. It isn't.
To apply for a USDA Class A license (breeder of animals born and raised on your premises), you submit an application through APHIS, pay the applicable fee, and request a pre-license inspection. APHIS guidance is blunt: you must pass a pre-license inspection before APHIS issues your license [4]. The inspector checks your housing, veterinary care practices, records, and staff knowledge of animal welfare requirements.
Class B dealers, who buy and resell cats rather than breeding them, face stricter scrutiny and a higher fee tier. Most cattery operators are Class A.
If your only sales are retail to pet owners and you have four or fewer breeding females, the AWA exemption likely covers you. But the moment you sell to a pet store, another dealer, a research facility, or a broker, AWA licensing is mandatory regardless of your animal count.
APHIS runs the federal application process through its Animal Care licensing program, which includes the fee schedule, the pre-license inspection expectations, and the contact information for your regional Animal Care office. For Alabama, that's the Eastern Region [4].
For readers comparing the federal filing burden across states, the process for cattery board in Georgia is identical at the federal level since APHIS rules are national.
What local permits and zoning does an Alabama cattery need?
Local compliance is the most variable and the hardest to summarize, because Alabama has 67 counties and dozens of incorporated municipalities, each with its own rules.
At minimum, plan for a general business license from your county probate judge's office or city revenue department. Many Alabama counties issue these through the probate court. Fees are typically modest, $50 to $150, and the license renews annually.
Zoning is the bigger concern. In a residentially zoned area, running a commercial cattery may require a home occupation permit or a zoning variance. Home occupation rules typically cap customer visits per day, restrict outdoor signage, and limit the scale of commercial activity. Some subdivisions with HOA covenants ban any commercial activity entirely, and state and county zoning approval doesn't override a private HOA covenant.
For a standalone cattery facility on agricultural or commercial property, you likely have an easier path. Agricultural land in Alabama counties is generally less restricted for animal operations, but check your specific parcel's zoning classification with the county planning department.
Building permits are required if you're constructing or significantly modifying a structure. Alabama follows the International Building Code with local amendments in most jurisdictions. A purpose-built cattery enclosure attached to a structure typically triggers a permit and inspection.
Here's the practical advice: before you sign any lease or buy any property, call the county planning department with the parcel's address and ask whether commercial cat breeding or boarding is a permitted use. That five-minute call has saved more than a few would-be cattery operators from an expensive mistake.
How to apply for an Alabama cattery license: step-by-step
Here's the real paper path in order.
Step 1: Confirm your local zoning allows the operation. Call your county planning office or city zoning department. Get it in writing if you can.
Step 2: Apply for your county or city business license. Usually the county probate judge's office handles this. Bring your planned business name, address, and a description of the operation.
Step 3: Contact ADAI's Animal Industries division to request the current pet dealer license application and fee schedule. Submit the completed application with the fee.
Step 4: If you qualify for or need a USDA AWA license, start your application through APHIS Animal Care and request your pre-license inspection with the APHIS Eastern Region Animal Care office once your application is submitted [4].
Step 5: Build or finalize your facility to meet both ADAI and APHIS standards before the inspections. Don't open for business until you've passed both.
Step 6: Establish your veterinary relationship. Have a vet of record before your inspection. Inspectors ask.
To organize all of these documents and contacts before you start calling agencies, the CatteryPath Alabama kit at /start covers the state-specific form checklist and USDA filing sequence. The agencies themselves are the authoritative source on current fees and timing.
For readers looking at the broader Southeast, the cattery board in Arkansas and cattery board in Florida guides walk through how those neighboring states structure the same paper path differently.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license for a cattery in Alabama?
Yes, with specifics depending on your operation. Commercial breeders and boarders generally need an Alabama Pet Dealers License from ADAI. If you sell cats across state lines, to pet stores, or have more than four breeding females selling to the public, you also need a USDA Animal Welfare Act license. Home-based breeders with four or fewer breeding females selling only to the public may qualify for the federal AWA exemption, but the state requirement is separate.
How much does a cattery license cost in Alabama?
Plan for layered costs. The Alabama Pet Dealers License historically runs $50 to $200 per year; confirm with ADAI directly. A USDA AWA Class A license costs $30 to $2,230 annually based on gross sales, with most small catteries in the $30 to $420 range. A county business license adds $50 to $150. Zoning permits vary. Total first-year cost for a small operation: roughly $150 to $600 before any facility construction.
How long does getting a cattery license in Alabama take?
Three to six months end to end for a new operation. The USDA AWA pre-license process alone takes 60 to 90 days once you apply. The Alabama state license runs four to eight weeks for review and inspection. Local business licenses are usually fastest, often within days. The facility must be inspection-ready before you can be licensed, so construction or renovation time is additive to all of those timelines.
Is a USDA license required for a home cattery in Alabama?
Not always. The Animal Welfare Act exempts breeders with four or fewer breeding females who sell directly to the public, not to dealers or pet stores. If you stay under that threshold and sell only to pet owners, no federal license is needed. The moment you exceed four breeding females or sell through any commercial channel, the AWA license kicks in. Alabama state licensing is a separate analysis.
What agency oversees catteries in Alabama?
At the state level, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), Animal Industries division, licenses pet dealers including catteries under Code of Alabama 2-11-30 through 2-11-42. At the federal level, USDA APHIS Animal Care licenses and inspects AWA-covered breeders and dealers. Local oversight falls to county probate offices and city revenue departments for business licenses, plus county or city planning for zoning.
Do I need a license to board cats in Alabama?
Commercial cat boarding, meaning you charge fees to house cats owned by others, likely falls under the Alabama Pet Dealers Law definition of pet dealer or pet shop. ADAI applies this to commercial boarding operations. You probably don't need a USDA AWA license for boarding-only operations since no animals are being sold, but confirm with ADAI for your specific operation. A local business license is still required.
What are the minimum space requirements for cats in a licensed Alabama cattery?
For USDA-licensed facilities, 9 CFR 3.6 requires at least 3 square feet of floor space per adult cat plus enough height for the cat to stand naturally. Alabama's ADAI regulations require adequate housing space under the Pet Dealers Law, though the state rule doesn't publish the same numeric floor as the federal one. If you're AWA-licensed, meet the federal standard and you'll satisfy the state standard too.
Can I run a cattery from my home in Alabama?
Yes in many cases, but local zoning and HOA rules can block it. Residentially zoned properties may require a home occupation permit that limits commercial activity. Some Alabama municipalities cap the number of animals per residential parcel. Agricultural-zoned properties have more flexibility. Always confirm with your county planning department before committing to a home-based setup. State and federal licensing apply regardless of whether the facility is at your home or separate.
Does Alabama require a veterinarian on file for a cattery?
ADAI requires that licensed pet dealers provide animals with adequate veterinary care, which in practice means having a vet of record before inspection. USDA AWA regulations also require a written program of veterinary care and attending veterinarian documentation for licensed facilities under 9 CFR 2.40. Have your vet relationship established before either inspection; inspectors ask for the name and contact information.
How often are Alabama catteries inspected?
ADAI inspects licensed pet dealers at least annually, and inspections can be unannounced. USDA APHIS inspects AWA-licensed facilities at least once per year, also unannounced. APHIS inspection reports are published in a public database searchable through the USDA APHIS Animal Care website. Two inspection regimes on separate schedules means you could see an ADAI visit and an APHIS visit in the same year, and your facility needs to be ready any time.
What happens if I operate a cattery in Alabama without a license?
Operating without an Alabama Pet Dealers License can result in civil penalties and orders to cease operations under Code of Alabama 2-11-40. Operating without a required USDA AWA license can result in federal fines; APHIS can issue cease-and-desist orders and refer cases for civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation per day under the Animal Welfare Act. Neither outcome is worth the license cost.
Do cat registries like TICA or CFA require a separate Alabama license?
No. TICA, CFA, and ACFA cattery registration is a voluntary program, not a government license. Registry membership gives you a cattery name, the ability to register pedigrees, and show eligibility. It doesn't substitute for any state or federal license requirement. The two tracks are completely separate. You can be TICA-registered without being state-licensed, and vice versa, though responsible breeders typically carry all of the above.
Are there Alabama-specific cattery regulations beyond the USDA rules?
Yes. Alabama's Pet Dealers Law and ADAI's implementing regulations add a state layer on top of federal AWA rules. The state rules cover sanitation, identification, veterinary care, and housing standards. They apply to operations that the federal rules might not reach, like boarding-only facilities or small breeders under the AWA threshold. ADAI's Animal Industries division is the authoritative source on how those state rules apply to your specific operation.
How do I contact ADAI to apply for a cattery license in Alabama?
Reach ADAI's Animal Industries division through the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries main office in Montgomery. The ADAI website lists phone and mailing contacts for the division. Call before you submit paperwork; the staff will confirm which license type applies to your operation, the current fee, and the current application form. Fees and forms can change between legislative sessions, so the phone call saves you from filing outdated paperwork.
Sources
- Alabama Legislature, Code of Alabama 1975, Sections 2-11-30 through 2-11-42 (Alabama Pet Dealers Law): Alabama requires pet dealers, including cat breeders and boarding operations, to be licensed by ADAI; license violations subject operators to civil penalties and license revocation
- Code of Federal Regulations, 9 CFR 2.1, Animal Welfare Act Licensing Requirements: Breeders with more than four breeding females who sell to the public, or who sell to dealers or pet stores, must obtain a USDA AWA Class A or B license; breeders with four or fewer breeding females selling only to retail customers are exempt
- Code of Federal Regulations, 9 CFR 2.6, Annual License Fees for AWA Dealers and Exhibitors: APHIS AWA Class A annual license fees range from $30 (under $500 gross sales) to $2,230 (over $1 million gross sales)
- Code of Federal Regulations, 9 CFR Part 3, Subpart A, Standards for Dogs and Cats (Animal Welfare Act): 9 CFR 3.6 requires a minimum of 3 square feet of floor space per adult cat in AWA-licensed facilities; 9 CFR 2.75 requires acquisition and disposition records kept at least one year after animal disposition
- The International Cat Association (TICA): TICA cattery registration is a voluntary program with its own standards; it has no force of law in Alabama and does not substitute for state or federal licensing
- Alabama Legislature, Code of Alabama 1975, Sections 3-7A-1 through 3-7A-12 (Alabama Rabies Control Act): Alabama law requires cats in commercial facilities to be currently vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Pet Dealers Licensing Requirements: Florida requires a Class III license for commercial pet dealers with specific housing, inspection, and fee requirements more detailed than Alabama's
- USDA APHIS, Revised Definition of Retail Pet Store Under the Animal Welfare Act (78 Fed. Reg. 34658, June 10, 2013): 2013 APHIS rulemaking closed the internet sales loophole; selling cats entirely online no longer exempts a breeder from AWA licensing if they otherwise meet the licensing thresholds