Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in US Territories
Palm Beach County, FL – Palm Beach County Government is introducing a comprehensive animal care ordinance that has far reaching impacts for breeders. Among the 75 pages of changes, here are some of the highlights:
- (1) Expand the Definition of Commercial Breeder
- The ordinance would redefine a commercial breeder as any person who engages in the breeding or sale of more than one litter of dogs or cats in one year. This would significantly expand the number of individuals subject to commercial breeder regulations.
- (2) Reduce Hobby Breeder Allowances
- The proposal would reduce the hobby breeder threshold from up to two litters annually to no more than one litter per year.
- (3) Require Breeding Permits for Additional Owners
- The ordinance would prohibit maintaining unsterilized dogs over six months of age or unsterilized cats over four months of age together without first obtaining an appropriate breeding permit from the County.
- (4) Require Monthly Reporting by Commercial Breeders
- Commercial breeders would be required to submit monthly reports to the County identifying every puppy or kitten placed, including the purchaser’s name, address, and telephone number, or provide notice that no animals were sold during the reporting period.
- (5) Expand Recordkeeping Requirements
- Commercial breeders would be required to maintain detailed records for every animal, including veterinary records, vaccination history, health certificates, litter information, parent identification, and disposition records.
- (6) Expand Inspection Authority
- The proposal would authorize inspections of records and facilities and require breeders to make records available upon request.
- (7) Create Additional Advertising Requirements
- Commercial breeders would be required to include their permit number in all advertisements offering dogs or cats for sale.
There was a community forum on July 11th. AKC is monitoring the ordinance.