Green Bay, WI Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

The City Clerk issues animal establishment licenses after the Humane Officer reviews the application and screens for Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 951 animal-cruelty convictions or prior violations of this chapter. A license runs one year from issuance; a breeding dog's registration lasts the dog's life. Licensees must make a good-faith effort to follow the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council's Animal Care Guidelines, keep two years of animal-care records for inspection, collar every dog under one year with its USDA registration number, and post the breeder's name, address, phone number, and USDA/state license numbers on each cage. Any dog, cat, or ferret at least five months old must be vaccinated for rabies within 30 days of the operator taking possession or before transfer. Pet shops and breeding services must additionally have a veterinarian give each dog's and cat's first distemper and parvo vaccinations and internal-parasite treatment before sale. Breeding services must register every breeding dog for a separate fee, may not breed a dog younger than two or older than eight, may not sell a puppy under eight weeks, and need a Wisconsin Department of Revenue seller's permit.

Every pet shop must post the Lemon Law where customers can see it. Operators must hand buyers spay/neuter information, the animal's care records, and its treating veterinarian's contact information, and guarantee the animal was not sick or injured at sale. If a veterinarian finds otherwise within seven days, the operator must reimburse treatment costs up to the animal's purchase price; a buyer who is refused can sue in Circuit Court for the purchase price plus litigation costs. The City Clerk revokes a license for a Chapter 951 conviction, a violation of this section, refusing Humane Officer entry, or a 12-month closure, with appeal first to the Protection and Policy Committee, then the Common Council, and finally the Brown County Circuit Court.