Sec. 462.1004. - Regulations and Standards.

(a) General. (1) Every animal shall be cared for appropriately for its genus, species, age, sex, and individual health and nutritional needs. (2) Every animal shall be provided with sufficient wholesome food appropriate for its genus, species, age, sex, and individual health and nutritional needs. (3) Every animal shall be provided with sufficient fresh, potable water, except for saltwater animals. (4) An animal dealer or hobby breeder is not required to obtain City licenses for animals but must inform the prospective owner or purchaser of the requirement to license the animal in accordance with Section 462.502 , Ordinance Code. (b) Animal Habitat. (1) Every animal shall be provided with appropriate shelter that protects it from the weather, extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. (2) Enclosures shall be constructed of nonporous, non-absorbent, impervious material. Floors shall be fiberglass, concrete, tile or other nonporous and impervious material. Dog and cat enclosures may be covered throughout with a minimum of three inches of gravel. (3) Enclosures shall be kept in safe and sanitary conditions appropriate for the animal(s) they house. Enclosures with wire or grid floors shall not: a. Permit the animal's feet to pass through the openings, b. Sag under the animal's weight, or c. Otherwise pose a risk of injury to the animal's feet, toes, or legs. (4) When an enclosure becomes empty through sale or other transfer of its occupant(s), the enclosure shall not be used to hold or house another animal until it has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. (5) Cat enclosures shall contain no less than 30 cubic feet of space per cat housed within and shall contain a spill-resistant litter pan of sufficient size and with sufficient litter for the number of cats within the enclosure. (6) Every animal shall have sufficient space to stand fully erect, lie down fully outstretched, and turn completely around in a natural position without touching the sides or top of the enclosure with any part of its body, including ears and tail, and without touching any other animal in the enclosure. If the animal cannot access additional indoor or outdoor space for exercising, then this enclosure must provide adequate space for exercising. (7) Animals shall not be commingled inappropriately for their genus and species, except that rodents may be placed in enclosures containing reptiles when being used as reptile food. No enclosure shall be overcrowded. No combination of dogs, cats, and birds shall be commingled in the same enclosure and every dog or cat over six months of age shall be kept in its own enclosure. However, where an animal dealer, or hobby breeder is operating out of his/her primary residence, animals may be commingled within the residence if they are compatible including dogs and cats over the age of six months. (8) All indoor areas of the premises in which animals are housed shall be well-ventilated and provide for wholesome change of air. (9) Interior lighting shall be provided in reasonable cycles conducive to the animals' natural biological rhythms. (10) The following provisions shall be applicable to birds: a. Every birdcage and enclosure shall have appropriate and sufficient food and water for each bird it houses. b. Every enclosure for large birds shall be wide enough to allow any bird in the enclosure to extend both its wings fully at the same time without any part of its body, including its tail, touching the top of or any side of the enclosure and shall be at least twice the height of the tallest bird in the enclosure. c. Every enclosure for small birds shall be large enough for all the birds in it to perch at the same time. d. Every bird shall be provided with sufficient perching space. In each birdcage, perches shall be parallel, aligned horizontally and not vertically, and perches shall be mounted so that the tail of any perched bird will not touch the bottom of the enclosure. e. Birds shall be housed at least 12 inches above the floor. f. Large and small birds shall not be commingled in the same enclosure. (11) Every fish tank shall, for each fish and/or aquatic animal within, have appropriate and sufficient water, food, plant life, lighting, aeration, filtration, and heating and shall be free from excessive algae. Every fish tank shall be cleaned as needed. (c) Sanitation. (1) Every animal dealer or hobby breeder operation shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary manner in order to promote a healthy environment for its animals, personnel and patrons and to limit the risk of disease transmission to animals and to humans. (2) Every animal dealer or hobby breeder operation shall have a readily accessible sink whose use shall be limited to hand washing. The sink shall be equipped with adequate hot and cold running water, hand cleaning soap, and sanitary toweling or a sanitary drying device. (3) Every animal dealer operation shall have a readily accessible deep sink with adequate hot and cold running water suitable for the cleaning of equipment, utensils, mops, and cages, and which may be used for the bathing and/or dipping of animals only after the sink has been thoroughly cleaned of any contaminants. (4) Every animal dealer operation shall have readily accessible at least one restroom facility containing at least one toilet and one sink that are available for use by personnel and patrons, pursuant to F.S. Ch. 381, as may be amended, and applicable State rules and regulations. (5) All floors, walls and ceilings shall be kept clean and in good repair. (6) All structural doors shall be self-closing, and all windows shall be screened; except where a hobby breeder is operating out of his/her primary residence. (7) Every animal dealer operation shall be distinctly separate from any area used for human habitation or for the preparation of, or the serving of, food for human consumption. (8) Every animal dealer or hobby breeder operation shall be kept pest-free and vermin-free. (9) All equipment shall be kept clean, in good repair and in working order. (d) Employees. (1) All animal dealers shall have at least one paid employee on site per every 32 cats and dogs on site from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day and during any other time the business is open to the public. (2) For animals other than cats or dogs, all animal dealers shall have one paid employee on site per every 32 animal enclosures on site from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day and during any other time the business is open to the public. (e) Vaccinations, Vaccination Records, and Heath Certificates. (1) Every animal dealer or hobby breeder shall comply with all requirements of F.S. §§ 828.29 and 828.30, subject to the exemptions enumerated in Section 462.504, Ordinance Code, and F.S. § 828.30(2), Florida Statutes, including, but not limited to: vaccinating all cats, dogs, and ferrets 4 months of age or older against rabies with a vaccine licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture for use in those species; maintaining records of vaccinations and other preventative medication; maintaining official certificates of veterinary inspection; retaining records; and sale, purchase and return of dogs and cats. Every animal dealer and hobby breeder shall comply with the requirements of Section 462.502, Ordinance Code and F.S. § 828.30. (2) For every dog and cat kept for the purpose of sale, trade or gift, the animal dealer or hobby breeder shall maintain a record of any vaccination, injury, illness, consultative services, and/or treatment and make available upon request to any prospective owner the recorded information and a copy of the official certificate of veterinary inspection required by F.S. § 828.29 for any such animal. (3) All dogs and cats given away or offered for sale or exchange for valuable consideration must have valid, current OCVI Health Certificates at the time they are offered for sale. These certificates must be presented to any animal control officer upon demand for review. (f) Sick Animals and Veterinary Care. (1) Sick animals shall be isolated individually and in such a manner as to prevent exposure to other animals. Quarantine and/or restriction of infected animals shall comply with F.S. Ch. 381, as may be amended, and with applicable State rules and regulations. (2) No animal dealer or hobby breeder shall sell, trade, give away, or offer for sale, trade, or gift, any animal that is infected with, or is suspected of being infected with or of having been exposed to and during the disease incubation period for, any disease which is communicable to humans or to other animals including, but not limited to, rabies, distemper, mange, parvo virus or other infectious or dangerous diseases as determined by a veterinarian. (3) Every animal dealer or hobby breeder shall provide appropriate veterinary care whenever an animal under its care is found to be sick or injured. Such care may include euthanasia when approved and performed by a veterinarian licensed by the State of Florida. It shall, in a timely fashion, record and report to the DCHD every incident on its premises of a known or suspected disease of the type zoonosis. (4) No animal shall be tranquilized for grooming purposes or for the purpose of keeping the animal in a docile state except as directed by a veterinarian. (g) Wild Animals. (1) No animal dealer shall sell, trade, give away, or offer for sale, trade or gift any livestock, game, or other animal which is not a household pet as defined in this Chapter unless it is possessed and sold in accordance with applicable laws and regulations of the Commission. (2) For every animal offered for sale, trade, or gift by the permittee that is subject to permitting by the Commission, the permittee shall: a. House and display the animal in such a manner as to prevent handling by the general public; b. Possess all necessary wildlife permits and comply with all federal and State rules and regulations; c. Inform the prospective owner of the animal of the requirement for special Commission permitting; d. Make available to the new owner at the time of transfer of ownership of the animal an appropriate Commission form of application; and e. Make and retain on the animal dealer operation premises a complete record of the acquisition of and the sale, trade, or gift of all wild animals. Records must be retained on premises for at least two years. (Ord. 2025-794-E , § 2)