Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Pet shop permit fee: $300 per year
Minimum age to sell: 8 weeks old
Health certificate: required with every sale
Fine range: $50 to $2,500 per offense

Summary

Fort Wayne does not ban pet stores from selling dogs and cats. Shops need an annual permit, must give buyers a written health certificate with every sale, and cannot sell puppies or kittens under eight weeks old.

(A) A person operating a pet shop shall obtain a pet shop permit. Approval from the Department of Planning Services is required prior to permit issuance. Pet shop permits must be obtained annually. ... (G) No puppy or kitten under the age of eight weeks shall be offered for sale, sold, transferred, exchanged for compensation or given away; with the exception of a puppy or kitten, relinquished to the Department.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).

Full Breakdown

Under Code § 91.059, anyone operating a pet shop must get an annual pet shop permit approved by the Department of Planning Services. Every animal sale requires a written certificate covering the purchaser's and seller's information, the animal's breed and age, vaccination and deworming records, and a ten-day health warranty recommending a vet exam. The Department of Animal Care and Control can delay a sale to have a suspect animal examined by a licensed veterinarian, at the seller's expense if it's confirmed unfit. Puppies and kittens under eight weeks old cannot be sold, transferred, or given away.

Violations & Fines

Violating any provision of Chapter 91, including the pet shop permit and certificate requirements, carries a fine of $50 to $2,500 per offense under § 91.999(A), with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can pet stores in Fort Wayne sell dogs and cats, or is it adoption-only?

They can sell them. Fort Wayne has no adoption-only mandate; pet shops just need a permit from the Department of Planning Services and must meet the sale-certificate and age requirements in § 91.059.

What must a Fort Wayne pet shop give a buyer?

A written certificate with the purchaser's and permit holder's contact information, the animal's breed/age/sex, its vaccination and deworming record, and a ten-day health warranty, per § 91.059(B).

Who enforces Fort Wayne's pet shop rules?

The city's Department of Animal Care and Control, sometimes with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health for disease concerns, under Code Chapter 91.

Sources & Official References

[1]Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 91.059

Other rules in Fort Wayne

Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item DisposalSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Dog Leash LawsSome Restrictions Chickens & LivestockSignificant Restrictions Mandatory Spay/NeuterSome Restrictions MicrochippingLight Restrictions Cat RulesSome Restrictions Pet LimitsSome Restrictions Pet Groomer RulesSome Restrictions BeekeepingSome Restrictions Exotic PetsHeavy Restrictions Fire Regulations: Propane StorageSome Restrictions Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions Landscaping Rules: CompostingLight Restrictions Soliciting & Door-to-Door: Solicitor PermitsSignificant Restrictions

All Fort Wayne rules

Compare Fort Wayne to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.