IDALS AgEnterprise Animal Health Portal

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) has launched a new digital services platform to better serve you. Using the AgEnterprise Animal Health Portal, you can now apply, renew and pay for your annual license, registrations, permits and certificates online. This technology update is part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to modernizing systems, improving customer service and going paperless.

Sign Up for an Account

Create a new AgEnterprise account. Click “User not Registered?” and enter your email address. Fill out your contact information and click “Submit.” You will receive an email to validate your account. Click on the email link to validate the account and then create your username and password. Enter your username and password to sign in to AgEnterprise and apply for your license.  

If you’re an existing or returning user, you can sign in by entering your username and password.

Applying for a License

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship licenses animal welfare facilities, bull breeders, dead animal disposal, hatchery and chick dealers, livestock brands, livestock dealers, pig dealers, poultry buyers, sheep dealers and slaughterhouse operators. This chart can help you determine what type of license is right for your business or facility. 

Licenses Who needs to be licensed Cost Duration Application form
Animal Welfare Facility All commercial establishments handling animals (commercial breeder, boarding, grooming, training, dog daycare, shelters, rescues, pet shops, dealers, pounds, public auctions)

$175 (commercial breeders, dealers, pet shops, kennels)

$75 (shelters, pounds, research facilities)

Annual Application to Operate in Iowa as Licensed Animal Welfare Facility
Bull Breeder Anyone leasing a bull $25 Annual Bull Breeder’s License
Dead Animal Disposal Any person/business disposing of dead animal carcasses or transporting dead animals $200
$150 (transporter only)
Annual Dead Animal Disposal/Dead Animal Transporter License
Hatchery/Chick Dealer Anyone hatching, producing or selling baby chicks in Iowa $20 2 years Hatchery/Chick Dealer License
Livestock Brand Anyone wanting a brand for the purpose of branding livestock $25/location 5 years Livestock Brand Application
Livestock Dealer Anyone buying, selling or assembling livestock for resale (intrastate or interstate) $50 Annual Livestock Dealer Application
Pig Dealer Anyone buying, selling or exchanging swine for resale (excluding direct to slaughter) $10 2 years Pig Dealer License
Poultry Buyer Anyone buying poultry/domestic fowl from producers for market $6 2 years Poultry Buyer’s License
Sheep Dealer Anyone buying, selling, exchanging sheep for resale $10 2 years Sheep Dealer License
Slaughterhouse Operator Establishments slaughtering/processing livestock or poultry (except grocery stores, food service, home processors) for sale or resale $100 (dealer, broker)
$20 (agent)
2 years Slaughterhouse Operators Application

Download a printable version.


Application Assistance

If you have questions about how to apply for an animal welfare facility license, email animalwelfare@iowaagriculture.gov or call 515-281-6358. If you have questions about how to apply for other licenses, email animalindustry@iowaagriculture.gov or call 515-281-5305.