Michigan PA 132 of 2016 (MCL 287.1101) regulates pet shops; some Wayne County cities including Royal Oak ban retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits sourced from commercial breeders.
Michigan licenses pet shops through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) under the Pet Shops, Dog Pounds, and Animal Shelters Act (MCL 287.331). Pet stores must disclose breeder sources, maintain veterinary records, and provide health certificates. Michigan does not impose a statewide retail puppy ban, but local ordinances are not preempted. Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, and several other metro Detroit cities adopted humane pet store ordinances limiting sales to shelter or rescue animals. Wayne County itself does not have a county-wide pet retail ban; rules vary by municipality. Online sales remain unregulated except through federal USDA standards.
Selling unlicensed animals or violating disclosure rules triggers MDARD enforcement, license revocation, and misdemeanor fines up to $1,000. Selling sick animals exposes shops to civil suits under Michigan Puppy Lemon Law.
See how Livonia's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
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