LA Animal Services Announces New Pet Store Permit Requirements

LA Animal Services is issuing new Rules and Regulations for Pet Store Animal Care, launching a new era of more rigorous oversight of pet shops in the city. Compliance with these Rules is a prerequisite to obtaining a Pet Store Permit from the Department.

Under Section 53.50 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, all pet stores are required to obtain an operating permit from the Department. As it renews and updates these permits, LA Animal Services will enforce standards for the care of animals in pet stores established by Section 122350 et seq. and Section 122125 et seq. of the California Health and Safety Code, in order to ensure the humane treatment of animals and safeguard the public interest. These new standards were established by the passage of AB 1347 (Caballero) signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in October 2007, and become binding state law on January 1, 2009.

The combination of a strong state law and increased local enforcement should make a difference for these animals. I urge every pet shop to use the time between now and New Year’s Day to bring its facility into compliance.

The Department this week sent out a letter notifying all permitted pet store operators that these new requirements will become effective as of January 1st, 2009, and will work to inform those operating without current permits as soon as possible. The Department’s Pet Store Permit Inspectors are increasing efforts to inspect and assist pet store operators to come into compliance. It is the responsibility of pet store operators to ensure their store is in compliance by January 1st, 2009.

Visit LA Animal Services website to review the new Rules and Regulations. If you know of a pet store that is not in compliance with these Rules and Regulations you can let the Department know at 213.485.1135.

The Rules and Regulations can be accessed at http://www.laanimalservices.com/ under "Services/Permits.”