Bernalillo County, NM Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat/dog retail sales
- Prohibited outright
- Other companion animals
- Need site permit
- Rabbit exception
- Non-companion sale allowed
- Rabbit seasonal window
- March and April only
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Pet shops in unincorporated Bernalillo County cannot sell cats, dogs, or rabbits outright, and any live companion animal sale requires an approved professional animal site permit.
Sale of live companion animals at pet shops is prohibited unless the pet shop has an approved professional animal site permit. Sale of rabbits, cats or dogs in pet shops is prohibited. The sale of rabbits for purposes other than as a companion animal... is allowed. There shall be a seasonal exception for the sale of live rabbits in all pet shops, feed stores, and bait shops during the months of March and April.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 6-64(e) bans the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops outright, and bars sale of any live companion animal unless the shop holds an approved professional animal site permit from the county manager. Rabbits get a narrow carve-out: they may be sold for non-companion purposes, plus a seasonal window for live-rabbit sales at pet shops, feed stores, and bait shops each March and April. All animal sales, gifts, or trades must also happen at the physical address on the seller's permit, per § 6-64(a). This governs unincorporated county land only. Albuquerque, which holds most of the county's population, regulates pet stores under its own Integrated Development Ordinance, not this code.
Violations & Fines
Violations of Chapter 6 are punishable as set out in County Code § 1-6; animal care services may also suspend or revoke the offending business's permit under § 6-71.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pet store in Bernalillo County sell puppies or kittens?
Does this rule apply inside Albuquerque?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.