HomeMy WebLinkAboutNo 1059 Regulating the Sale of Dogs and Cats at Pet Stores and Creating an Administrative Offense for ViolationsOrdinance No. 1059
An Ordinance Regulating the Sale of Dogs and Cats at Pet Stores and Creating an
Administrative Offense for Violations
The City Council of the City of Maplewood, Minnesota ordains as follows:
Section 1. The Maplewood City Code Chapter 10 – Animals is hereby amended to add
Article XII.-Sale of Dogs and Cats at Pet Stores as follows:
Sec. 10-525. – Purpose.
The City Council finds that a significant number of puppies and kittens sold at pet stores come
from large-scale, commercial breeding facilities where the health and welfare of the animals are
not adequately provided for; and
The City Council finds that the documented abuses endemic to mass breeding facilities include
over-breeding; inbreeding; minimal to non-existent veterinary care; lack of adequate and
nutritious food, water and shelter; lack of socialization; lack of adequate space; lack of adequate
exercise; no or limited screening of genetic diseases; inadequate transportation and shipping
protocols of puppies and kittens; and indiscriminate disposal of breeding dogs and cats who
have reached the end of their profitable breeding cycle
In accordance with the power granted to it by Minn. Stats. § 412.221, Subd. 21 and Minn. Stats.
§ 412.221, Subd. 32 to regulate the keeping of animals, and to help prevent inhumane breeding
conditions, promote community awareness of animal welfare, and foster a more humane
environment in the City, the City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City of
Maplewood to adopt the regulations set forth below regarding the sale of dogs and cats at pet
stores.
Sec. 10-526. – Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Animal Control Authority means any government entity which is responsible for animal control
operations in its jurisdiction.
Animal Rescue Organization means any not-for-profit organization which has tax-exempt status
under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, whose mission and
practice is, in whole or in significant part, the rescue of animals and the placement of those
animals in permanent homes, and which does not breed animals.
Animal Shelter means any not-for profit organization which has tax-exempt status under Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which (1) accepts animals into a physical facility; (2) is
devoted to the rescue, care, and adoption of stray, abandoned, unwanted or surrendered
animals; (3) places animals in permanent homes or with animal rescue organizations; and (4)
does not breed animals.
Cats means a mammal that is wholly or in part of the species Felis domesticus.
Certificate of Source means a document from an animal control authority, animal rescue
organization, or animal shelter which shall provide a brief description of the dog or cat, and shall
list the name, address, and telephone number of the source (animal control authority, animal
rescue organization, or animal shelter) of the dog or cat.
Dogs means a mammal that is wholly or in part of the species Canis familiaris.
Pet Store means any retail establishment, or operator thereof, which displays, sells, delivers,
offers for sale, barters, auctions, gives away, or otherwise transfers companion animals in the
City of Maplewood. This definition does not apply to animal control authorities, animal shelters,
or animal rescue organizations.
Pet Store Operator means a person or business entity who owns or operates a pet store.
Sec. 10-527. – Sale of Dogs and Cats at Pet Stores.
a) No pet store shall sell, deliver, offer for sale, barter, auction, give away, or otherwise
transfer or dispose of cats or dogs.
b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit pet stores from collaborating with animal shelters,
animal rescue organizations, and animal control authorities to offer space for such
entities to showcase adoptable dogs and cats inside pet stores. Such animals shall not
be younger than 8 weeks old. Dogs that are showcased for adoption shall not be kept
overnight at a pet store.
c) A pet store shall post and maintain a Certificate of Source in a conspicuous place on or
within three feet of each dog’s or cat’s kennel, cage, or enclosure.
i. A Certificate of Source shall be provided to the adopter of any dog or cat.
ii. Certificate of Source records for each dog or cat shall be maintained by a pet
store for at least one year from the last date that a dog or cat appeared in the
store.
iii. Pet stores shall make Certificates of Source immediately available for review
upon the request of a peace officer or animal control authority, or a humane
agent pursuant to Minn. Stats. § 343.06 acting on behalf of the City.
iv. Falsification of a Certificate of Source shall be deemed a violation of this section.
Sec. 10-528. – Violations.
A violation of Section 10-527 shall constitute an Administrative Penal Offense under Sec.1-17 of
City Code and subject the pet store operator to the procedures and penalties contained therein.
Section 2. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon passage and
publication.
Adopted by the City of Maplewood this 26th day of January 2026.
Marylee Abrams, Mayor
Attest:
Andrea Sindt, City Clerk
$)),'$9,72)38%/,&$7,21
67$7(2)0,11(627$
&2817<2)5$06(<
,.D\OD7VXFKL\DEHLQJGXO\VZRUQRQRDWKVD\V WKDWVKH
LVDQGGXULQJDOOWLPHVKHUHLQVWDWHKDVEHHQ,QVLGH6DOHV
5HSUHVHQWDWLYHRI1RUWKZHVW3XEOLFDWLRQ//&3XEOLVKHURI
WKHQHZVSDSHUNQRZQDVWKH6DLQW3DXO3LRQHHU3UHVVD
QHZVSDSHURI*HQHUDOFLUFXODWLRQZLWKLQWKH&LW\RI6W3DXO
DQGWKHVXUURXQGLQJ&RXQWLHVRI0LQQHVRWDDQG:LVFRQVLQ
LQFOXGLQJ5DPVH\DQG.DQDEHF
7KDWWKHQRWLFHKHUHWRDWWDFKHGZDVFXWIURPWKHFROXPQVRI
VDLGQHZVSDSHUDQGZDVSULQWHGDQGSXEOLVKHGWKHUHLQRQWKH
IROORZLQJGDWH V
1HZVSDSHU5HI$'1XPEHU
&OLHQW$GYHUWLVHU &,7<2)0$3/(:22'/(*$/6
$)),$176,*1$785(
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
6XEVFULEHGDQGVZRUQWREHIRUHPHWKLV
7UXH/HH
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
127$5<38%/,&
5DPVH\&RXQW\01
0\FRPPLVVLRQH[SLUHV-DQXDU\
3DJHRI