Miami-Dade County Chapter 5 restricts retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats sourced from commercial breeders, steering buyers toward shelters, rescues, and humane sources to curb puppy-mill supply chains.
Chapter 5 of the Miami-Dade Code bars pet stores in unincorporated Miami-Dade from selling commercially bred dogs and cats. Stores may instead host adoption events with Animal Services or partnered 501(c)(3) rescues, displaying source documentation for every animal on premises. Stores must keep written records of each animal’s origin, health certificate, and rabies vaccination history available for inspection. Sales of supplies, fish, reptiles, and birds are not affected. The ordinance was adopted to align with Florida’s broader move against puppy-mill retail and to support the no-kill goals of Animal Services.
Selling commercially bred puppies or kittens, or failing to maintain source records, can result in escalating fines, suspension of the local business tax receipt, and Animal Services seizure of animals.
See how Miami Gardens's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
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