County Adopts New Regulations for Local Pet Stores and Breeders

by Dawn Kitterman

BRADENTON—On Tuesday, Manatee County Commissioners unanimously approved the adoption of an ordinance that will allow county officials to regulate and inspect local pet stores and breeders.

The measure comes after the county commission overturned a previously adopted measure that would have banned the retail sale of cats and dogs within Manatee County.

Early this year, Commissioner Mike Rahn motioned to rescind the previously enacted retail pet sale ban. Rahn’s motion was supported 6-1, with only Commissioner George Kruse voting against the recension of the previously enacted measure.

On Tuesday, Deputy Director of Manatee County’s Community and Veteran’s Services Department Sarah Brown told commissioners that the need for local officials to oversee private and commercial animal breeders had reached a critical point.

Brown, who formerly served as the chief of the county’s Animal Welfare Division, presented the ordinance before commissioners, “The ability to enforce properly is a rapidly worsening issue,” she explained.

“There’s been a large increase in breeders, and recently we seized 26 dogs that were living in deplorable conditions—one of the dogs had a fish matted into its hair—it’s critical for us to be able to inspect these locations,” Brown said.

Brown continued, “These regulations will provide new tools to Manatee County Animal Welfare to provide oversight…while ensuring pet stores and breeders operate under humane and safe conditions.”

The ordinance requires all pet stores and breeders intending to operate within Manatee County to undergo an application process and inspection before obtaining a license to do business. The new regulations also require that licensees complete an annual renewal to maintain the licensing. There is no fee for the license, however.

As part of the licensing application process, applicants must provide proof of compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as a detailed description of their facilities, including the housing, feeding, and medical care provided.

Following the submission of a license application, officials of the county’s Animal Welfare Division will conduct an on-site inspection of the facility to see that it meets the standards for the care and treatment of animals as outlined by the ordinance.

The new regulations include specific requirements and standards concerning animal enclosures, including floor and surface platform requirements, construction materials, and size of the enclosures per animal type. In addition, there are enhanced regulations concerning care and maintenance, staffing, record keeping, and medical care for animals.

Inspections of facilities will take place at least twice annually, and the standards and inspection requirements apply to both private and commercial facilities.

Violations of the new ordinance could result in fines of $500, a “stop work order” on a facility, or the suspension or revocation of licenses for repeat violations.

To read the ordinance provision in full, click here.

To replay the meeting presentation on the agenda item, and to hear commissioners’ comments and questions about the measure, click the embedded video below.