The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control has proposed changes to rules governing pet stores, breeding kennels and other animal facilities.

Public hearings on the proposed amendments are scheduled for March 9 and March 10.

As written, the proposed changes would require animal facilities to follow a number of new requirements for animal care, primary enclosure size, exercise standards and record keeping, among others. In addition, any animal facility with 50 or fewer animals would be required to provide staffing on the premises for at least eight hours in every 24 hour period.

An “animal facility” as currently defined means a lot, building, structure, enclosure or premises for any animal-related business or organization, including a non-profit humane organization animal facility, a grooming shop, a pet shop, a boarding facility and a breeding facility.

The new rules would prohibit an animal facility from keeping more than 50 dogs or cats. The department may grant a license for a facility with more than 50 dogs or cats if the applicant meets certain criteria, such as staffing the facility 24 hours a day to attend to the animals.

Animal breeding is addressed in a new section. The new section covers breeding licenses, restrictions and requirements.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) has issued a PetAlert in which the organization warns owners and operators of animal facilities not to think the proposed changes to rules apply only to dogs and cats. PIJAC urges those who would be impacted by the proposed changes to attend one or both of the scheduled meetings and to submit written comments to the county Department of Animal care and Control.

Public meetings on the proposed changes to rules are scheduled for:

• March 9, 10 a.m., at Child Support Services, Phillip Browning Room, 5500 S. Eastern Ave., 1st Floor, Commerce, CA
  
• March 10, 2 p.m., at City Council Chambers, 38300 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, CA.

Written comments or questions may be e-mailed to ACCLegal@animalcare.lacounty.gov.

Click here to read the proposed amendments. <HOME>