Madera County, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Retail dog/cat sales
- Allowed, not banned
- Pet shop duty
- Monthly report of unlicensed sales
- Report includes
- Buyer info, breed, sex, age
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Unincorporated Madera County lets licensed pet shops sell dogs but requires monthly reporting of every unlicensed dog sale to animal services.
It is the duty of each pet shop operator within the unincorporated areas of Madera County to notify the animal services department monthly of all sales of unlicensed dogs to residents of the county within the preceding month. This notice shall include the name and address of the purchaser of the dog, and the breed, sex and age of the dog sold. This information is to be used by the animal services department solely for the purpose of enforcing the licensing and vaccination requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 479E, § 1, 6-21-16).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
Madera County does not ban retail sale of dogs or cats: county code exempts dogs sold at duly licensed pet shops from the standard dog-licensing requirement. But pet shop operators must notify the county animal services department each month of every unlicensed dog sold to a county resident, including the buyer's name and address and the dog's breed, sex, and age. There is no adoption-only mandate or source restriction (no rule limiting sales to shelters or rescues) in the county code.
Violations & Fines
A pet shop operator who fails to file the required monthly notice of unlicensed dog sales violates Section 6.04.232 and is subject to enforcement under Chapter 6.04.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pet stores sell dogs in unincorporated Madera County?
What must a pet shop report to the county?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera County
California rules heatmap·Compare Madera County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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