Berkeley, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

(a) A pet store shall not adopt out, sell, or offer for sale a dog, cat, or rabbit. This section does not prevent a pet store from providing space to display animals for adoption in accordance with subdivision (b). (b) (1) A pet store shall not provide space for the display of dogs, cats, or rabbits available for adoption unless the animals are displayed by either a public animal control agency or shelter, or animal rescue group. (2) Any animal displayed for adoption shall be both sterilized and adoptable for total fees, including, but not limited to, adoption fees, not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). (3) The pet store displaying dogs, cats, or rabbits pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not receive any fees in connection with the display of dogs, cats, or rabbits. (c) A public animal control agency or shelter, an animal rescue group displaying animals at a pet store, or an animal rescue group operating a retail establishment shall not offer dogs, cats, or rabbits for adoption unless the animals are sterilized, the animals are adoptable for total fees, including, but not limited to, adoption fees, not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500), and the adoption fees are posted and visible to the public on or near the enclosures or areas where adoptable animals are displayed. (d) (1) Each violation of subdivision (a), (b), or (c) shall result in a single written notice to the pet store and any public animal control agency, shelter, or animal rescue group responsible for the animal that is the subject of the violation.