Chapter 6.45
SALE OF ANIMALS
Sections:
6.45.010 Sale of cats or dogs.
6.45.030 Return of dog or cat.
6.45.010 Sale of cats or dogs.
(a) No person or establishment other than a licensed or County-operated animal shelter shall sell, exchange or barter any cat or dog less than eight weeks of age. Proof of age of the dog or cat may be required by the Administrator. Proof of age may include but not be limited to a certification by a licensed veterinarian attesting to the animal’s age.
(b) Any person who provides or offers any dog or cat to the public, whether or not for compensation, shall provide to the prospective owner, free of charge, information related to pet care and ownership, including information on County laws pertaining to animal control and spay/neuter programs available in the County. This information shall be prepared and made available either free of charge or at cost by the Administrator.
(c) Any person offering a dog for sale, barter, exchange or adoption, whether or not for compensation, shall disclose to any prospective owner, information regarding the City licensing requirements applicable to such animal.
(d) No person shall give away any dog or cat as a prize or as an inducement to enter any contest, lottery, drawing, game or competition.
(e) No person shall give away any dog or cat as an inducement to enter a place of business or to enter into a business arrangement. This prohibition shall not apply to any licensed veterinarian who offers dogs or cats for sale or adoption.
(f) No person shall sell, barter, exchange or offer for adoption, whether or not for compensation, any dog or cat to any person who is under the age of eighteen (18) years, without the written permission of the minor’s parent or legal guardian. (Ord. 1879 § 1, 3-29-11).
6.45.020 Immunization.
All cats or dogs over eight weeks of age, before they are sold, must be immunized against common disease; in the case of dogs against distemper and parvovirus; in the case of cats against panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and chlamydia. The seller of a dog or cat shall provide to the buyer at the time of sale a signed statement from the seller attesting to the date of vaccination and the seller’s knowledge of the animal’s health. Such statement shall also include the animal’s immunization history, and the record of any known disease, sickness or internal or external parasites that the animal is afflicted with at the time of transfer of ownership, including treatment and medication. (Ord. 1879 § 1, 3-29-11).
6.45.030 Return of dog or cat.
(a) Any person purchasing a dog or cat from a person or establishment required to be licensed or registered pursuant to this chapter may, within five days of such purchase, cause such animal to be examined by a veterinarian licensed by the State of California and if such examination reveals clinical signs of a contagious or infectious disease or serious congenital defects, not otherwise disclosed to the purchaser as required by SCCC 6.45.020, the purchaser may, within one day of the examination, return such animal to the seller. When returned, such animal must be accompanied with a certificate signed by the examining veterinarian stating examination findings. Upon return of such animal for the reasons stated in this section, the seller shall reimburse the purchaser for the cost of the animal.
(b) If the seller refuses to reimburse the purchaser for the cost of the animal upon purchaser’s offer to return it, the purchaser may file court proceedings against the seller. (Ord. 1879 § 1, 3-29-11).
6.45.040 Location of sale.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to display for sale, offer for sale, exchange, barter or give away any animal except in the following places:
(1) Pet shop, commercial kennel, private kennel, pet grooming parlor, animal menagerie, animal shelter, or horse establishment, which have a valid permit under SCCC 6.35.010; and
(2) Private residence.
(b) This prohibition shall not apply to:
(1) Any animal rescue or humane organization or agency recognized by SVACA; or
(2) Any cat breeder selling cats at a nationally sanctioned cat show; or
(3) Any dog breeder selling dogs at a nationally sanctioned dog show. (Ord. 1879 § 1, 3-29-11).