Chapter 6.06
COMMERCIAL KENNELS AND CATTERIES, GROOMING PARLORS, PET SHOPS, SHELTERS
Sections:
6.06.020 License requirements.
6.06.050 Inspection at processing.
6.06.070 Repealed.
6.06.080 Repealed.
6.06.090 Violations – Penalties.
6.06.110 Commercial kennels, catteries, pet shops and shelters – General conditions.
6.06.120 Indoor facilities – Specific conditions.
6.06.130 Outdoor facilities – Specific conditions.
6.06.140 Grooming parlors – Specific conditions.
6.06.010 Definitions.
Within the provisions of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
A. “Commercial cattery” means any premises used to conduct a commercial business involving the breeding, buying, selling, or boarding of cats, but excluding animal hospitals and clinics where animals are kept only for treatment by licensed veterinarians and nonprofit animal shelters where animals are kept for care and treatment pending redemption, adoption or euthanasia.
B. “Commercial kennel” shall hold the same meaning as a commercial cattery except involving dogs.
C. “Commercial” means having profit as a primary purpose of operations.
D. “Grooming parlor” means any place of business (stationary or mobile) where animals are bathed, clipped, dipped or combed, or otherwise serviced for a valuable consideration for the purpose of enhancing their aesthetic value.
E. “License” means a city of Mount Vernon business license.
F. “Pet shop” means any business or commercial establishment wherein animals commonly referred to or considered to be pets are kept or displayed for sale to any persons or organizations for either private or commercial purposes.
G. “Shelter” means governmental or private organizations that provide temporary homes for stray or surrendered animals, most often dogs and cats, until the animals are reclaimed by the owners, adopted, placed with another organization, or euthanized. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.020 License requirements.
It is unlawful for any person to own, maintain or operate a commercial kennel or cattery, grooming parlor, pet shop or shelter within the city unless such person has first obtained the applicable license as required by Chapter 5.04 MVMC and this title. Such license shall be nontransferable. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.030 License fees.
The license fees required for a commercial kennel or cattery, grooming parlor, pet shop or shelter are outlined in Chapter 5.04 MVMC; except, that MVMC 5.04.070 shall not apply to a commercial kennel or cattery, grooming parlor, pet shop or shelter when combined with another classification of business and shall require a separate license and fee. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.040 Application.
In addition to licensing requirements of MVMC 5.04.090, any person making application for a business license for a commercial kennel or cattery, grooming parlor, pet shop or animal shelter shall submit the following information:
A. Name, address and phone number of the owner of such business;
B. Name, address and phone number of the person(s) having primary supervision of such business;
C. The street address, mailing address and phone number of such business;
D. The maximum number of animals which such business will contain at any single time;
E. A statement giving permission for the inspection of such business at any reasonable time. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.050 Inspection at processing.
This chapter sets forth conditions for any commercial kennel or cattery, grooming parlor, pet shop or shelter license in order to provide for safe and humane treatment of animals. Upon application for a commercial kennel or cattery, grooming parlor, pet shop or shelter license, the designated animal control officer shall inspect the proposed facilities to determine whether such facilities comply with the required conditions set forth in this chapter. If it is found they do not, the license shall not issue and the applicant shall be advised in writing of the reasons for denial. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.060 Display.
In addition to the requirements of MVMC 5.04.100, the license issued for a commercial kennel or cattery, grooming parlor, pet shop or shelter shall be posted on the premises in a location easily observed by the public. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.070 Revocation, denial or refusal to renew.
Repealed by Ord. 3440. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.080 Appeal of revocation or denial of license.
Repealed by Ord. 3440. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.090 Violations – Penalties.
Any person violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions contained in this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement provisions contained in MVMC Title 19, Code Enforcement. (Ord. 3440 § 5, 2008).
6.06.100 Records required.
Each commercial kennel or cattery, pet shop and shelter shall prepare, maintain and make available to the designated animal control officer a current record of all dogs, cats and other animals sold, auctioned or otherwise disposed of and a current record of all dogs, cats and other animals born within such facility or acquired from other sources. Such records shall include the origin, age and type of dog, cat or other animal, and the name and address of the transferee and transferor. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.110 Commercial kennels, catteries, pet shops and shelters – General conditions.
Commercial kennels and catteries, pet shops and shelters shall meet the following conditions:
A. Animal housing facilities shall be provided the animals, shall be structurally sound, shall be maintained in good repair, and shall be designed to protect the animals from injury and restrict the entry of other animals.
B. Each animal shall be provided with adequate floor space to allow such animal to turn about freely and to easily stand, sit and lie in a comfortable normal position.
C. Any electrical power shall be supplied in conformance with applicable electrical codes adequate to supply heating and lighting as may be required by this chapter.
D. Water shall be supplied at sufficient pressure and quantity to clean indoor housing facilities and enclosures of debris and excreta.
E. Suitable food and bedding shall be provided and stored in facilities adequate to provide protection against infestation or contamination by insects or rodents.
F. Refrigeration shall be provided for the protection of perishable foods.
G. Provision shall be made for the removal and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding, dead animals and debris. Disposal facilities shall be so provided and operated as to minimize vermin infestation, odors and disease hazards.
H. Washroom facilities, including sinks and toilets, with hot and cold water, shall be conveniently available to maintain cleanliness among animal caretakers and for the purpose of washing utensils and equipment.
I. Sick, diseased or injured animals shall be separated from those appearing healthy and normal and if for sale, shall be removed from display and sale or adoption and kept in isolation quarters with adequate ventilation to keep from contaminating well animals.
J. There shall be an employee or keeper on duty at all times during business hours whose responsibility shall be the care and supervision of the animals in that shop or department held for sale, adoption or display.
K. An employee, keeper or owner shall make provision to feed, water and do the necessary cleaning of animals. Adult dogs and cats shall be fed and watered no less than twice every 24 hours, puppies and kittens more often.
L. No person shall misrepresent an animal to a consumer in any way.
M. No person shall knowingly give for adoption or sell a sick or injured animal without disclosing the sickness or injury to the adopter or purchaser.
N. Animals which are caged, closely confined or restrained shall be permitted daily exercise for an appropriate length of time, as determined by their size, age and species, in a yard or area suitable for that purpose. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.120 Indoor facilities – Specific conditions.
Commercial kennels and catteries, pet shops and shelters which have indoor facilities for animals shall:
A. Be sufficiently heated or cooled when necessary to protect the animals from temperatures to which they are not accustomed, taking into consideration their age, size and species;
B. Be adequately ventilated to provide for the health of the animals and to remove foul odors therefrom;
C. Have ample light, either natural or artificial, or both, of good quality and well distributed to provide for such illumination as necessary to inspect and clean;
D. Have interior walls, ceiling and floor surfaces constructed of materials which are resistant to the absorption of moisture and odors, or such surfaces shall be treated with sealant or paint;
E. Contain a suitable method of drainage to facilitate the rapid elimination of excess water under any weather or temperature condition from indoor housing facilities; provided, this requirement shall not apply to display areas of pet shops;
F. Be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, with the use of safe and effective disinfectants. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.130 Outdoor facilities – Specific conditions.
Commercial kennels and catteries, pet shops and shelters having outdoor facilities for animals shall:
A. Be constructed to provide shelter from excessive sunlight, rain, snow, wind, heat, cold or other elements;
B. Be constructed to provide sufficient space for the proper exercise and movement of each animal contained therein;
C. Contain a suitable system of drainage to be constructed to prevent an accumulation of water, mud, debris, excreta or other material and capable of being kept clean and sanitary and shall be so kept;
D. Be enclosed by walls or fences sufficient to keep animals within and to prevent entry of other animals. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.140 Grooming parlors – Specific conditions.
Grooming parlors shall:
A. Not board animals, but keep said animals for a reasonable time in order to perform the business of grooming;
B. Keep each animal in an individual cage;
C. Not permit animals therein kept for the purpose of grooming to have contact with other animals kept therein;
D. Sanitize all equipment after each animal has been groomed;
E. Not prescribe treatment or medicine that is the province of a licensed veterinarian as provided in RCW 18.92.010;
F. Not leave animals unattended during the drying process;
G. Take reasonable precautions to prevent injury from occurring to any animal while in the custody of said parlor. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.150 Severability.
In the event any term or condition of this chapter or application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other terms, conditions, or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid term, condition, or application. To this end, the terms and conditions of this chapter are declared severable. (Ord. 3301 § 2, 2005).
6.06.160 Violation – Penalty.
Any person violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions contained in this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement provisions contained in MVMC Title 19 entitled Code Enforcement. (Ord. 3448 § 7, 2009).