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.
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writerlynn9717
We don't need such facilities at all, when we have hundreds of dogs needing adoption. This also sends a bad message, while on the surface looks good, that we support selling dogs and cats for profit instead of adoption of those in need of homes. Also, why can't Manatee County be like other surrounding counties and just outlaw these facilities? Why are commissioners so intent on keeping these hurtful businesses in our county?
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 Report this
David Daniels
THis reminds me of when DeSantis and the Fl legislature realized finally decided to do something about the property insurance industry, they asked the insurance industry to come up with solutions.The result was a set of legislation that benefited insurance companies. In this case, a pet store merely has to fill out a form. What a joke! Sarah Brown wants us to look at the shiny object of local backyard breeders - that is a completely different issue. Of course the County should be cracking down on local breeding. There are already laws against confining animals is horrific conditions in Manatee county. But these are for the most part small time operations locally. Pet stores support horrific forced pregnancy cruelty on a massive scale - that takes place out of state where there is no regulations, or enforcement. On August 20th, the voters spoke. And Mr. Kruse, you campaigned on reinstating the ban. You voted twice in support of a retail ban. This sure feels like a sellout. And where was Carol Whitmore? Like me, she was probably unaware this was being slipped in. Did any board member consult any of the many animal advocates? - A great many of whom supported Commissioner Kruse for his stand on banning retail pet sales. I don't expect to be consulted on every issue. But so soon after so many people worked hard to get the results of August 20 - many of them being the animal advocates I personally called who showed up to wave signs for 2 hours in the 95 degree sun on to wave signs - this feels like it was slipped through when no one was looking. Shame on this board. This is a gift to a dirty, filthy, cruel business. Doug Polk once again lied about any legal difficulties. The retail ban is in place in hundreds of communities, dozens in Florida. None have been overturned. In fact- in West Palm and Orange Counties, courts have written strongly worded opinions. There is a strongly worded opinion from Illinois as well. Our community does not want to be a part of this hideous industry. This vote was a gift to heartless pet store owners who profit off suffering. A gift in our name. The entire board and Sarah Brown should be ashamed.
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 Report this
Sandrafreas
Thank you to George Kruse for upholding the voters wishes to ban pet sales in pet shops. While local breeder standards are important pet shops hide their puppy mill supply chain behind a store front. This targeted regulation will further empower them to continue to obscure the fact that their “USDA” breeders are operating with impunity and using and abusing their animals at will. Pet shops should NOT be selling puppies PERIOD and the residents of Manatee County have already been heard and represented on this issue until it was quietly reversed. Why was that?
Our new Grassroots BOCC needs to make an intelligent decision and realize that this new Inspection law is likely not designed for the sake of the animals but for the economic well being of the pet shop owners who have obviously been at work lobbying. I say: Breeder inspections YES only IF combined with No puppy mill laws for retailers - which means no retail selling of pets. They ALL come from puppy mills.
(Retailers can host and profit from adoption days and the sale of goods and services.)
That’s the way many states have gone and so should Florida. Let’s start in Manatee.
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 Report this
ruthlawler
Over 700,000 shelter animals in Florida were euthanized in 2023! These were potential pets that were not adopted, while FOR PROFIT pet breeders and pet stores sell dogs and cats for profit! These minimal new County regulations are not addressing the actual problem! I am opposed to for profit breeders and pet store dog and cat sales...period. Instead of fixing a problem, our BOCC put a bandaid on a big wound. Ruth Lawler
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 Report this