Agenda Item Name:
Title
Public Hearing-Pet Breeder Regulation Ordinance
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Presenter:
Alachua County Animal Services
Description:
Public hearing to consider ordinance regulating pet breeders
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve ordinance regulating pet breeders and authorize the Chair’s signature.
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Prior Board Motions:
April 16, 2019:
The Board directed staff to:
1) Bring back examples of breeder license ordinance programs from the southeast and Florida so the Board can discuss at the first available Policy Meeting prior to the drafting of the ordinance
2) Inform the Board of enforceability of the State of Florida Regulations.
August 20, 2019:
Motion to authorize advertisement of an ordinance establishing a Breeder’s License program with the following standards was discussed as listed below:
- Differential licensing for all animals, with costs established in the fee schedule, to curb “accidental breeders” and incentivize sterilization
- A breeder’s permit program for hobby, and commercial, breeders of dogs subject to:
1) Retention of all veterinary and transaction records for 1 year from sale;
2) Consent to inspections of premises housing breeding operations and animals;
3) Standards of husbandry and veterinary care for animals;
4) Maximum number of adult intact animals at a breeding facility’
5) Fees (established by fee schedule) depending on intensity of breeding
6) Staff and the attorney to bring back a separate proposal to seek the cooperation of the veterinary community in the registration and licensing of all animals.
The motion was than amended to add
1. To refer back to staff to develop potential exemptions for areas where the County is not concerned with having to conduct inspections.
2. Come back with more specificity about fee schedules
3. Convene a stack holder meeting where they can provide direct input
4. Seek the cooperation of the veterinary community in the registration and licensing of all animals.
The motion carried 5-0.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
The Ordinance indicates that “the cost of the permit and other related fees shall be established by the Board of County Commissioners by resolution and shall be maintained in a fee schedule.” This item was not included as part of the Animal Services section of the Fee Schedule that was adopted by the BoCC on 8/20/20. Fees related to this Ordinance cannot be collected until this step is also completed.
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Background:
This topic has been discussed on several occasions as it relates to costs incurred by the County to house, provide care for, and rehome unwanted animals. It has also been discussed in relation to its effect on public safety with breeding having been a component of several recent aggressive dog cases.