California AB 485 prohibits pet stores in Orange County from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits unless sourced from animal shelters or approved rescue organizations, and OC Animal Care inspects compliance under the state mandate.
Assembly Bill 485, codified at California Health and Safety Code Section 122354.5, requires every pet store statewide—including those in OC unincorporated areas and incorporated cities—to source dogs, cats, and rabbits only from public animal control agencies, shelters, or qualifying nonprofit rescues. Stores must post the originating shelter or rescue for each animal and maintain records for one year. OC Animal Care inspects pet stores in its contracting jurisdictions; the California Department of Public Health and local agencies share enforcement. Private breeder direct-to-consumer sales are not banned but cannot occur in pet stores.
Each illegal sale draws a five-hundred-dollar civil penalty under state law; repeat violations can lead to revocation of business licensing.
See how other cities in Orange County handle pet store rules.
See how Costa Mesa's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
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