Miami-Dade County, FL Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Effective date
- December 31, 2014
- Applies to
- Pet shops and pet dealers
- Approved sources
- Registered breeder, shelter, rescue, hobby breeder
- Geographic scope
- Countywide, incorporated + unincorporated
- Enforcement
- Chapter 8CC civil penalties
Summary
Miami-Dade pet shops and pet dealers may sell only dogs and cats sourced from a registered breeder, public shelter, or registered rescue or hobby breeder: direct puppy-mill sourcing is barred.
After December 31, 2014, pet dealers and pet shops shall not display, sell, trade, deliver, barter, lease, rent, auction, transfer, offer for sale or transfer, or otherwise dispose of dogs or cats in Miami-Dade County, unless the pet dealer or pet shop certifies that the dog or cat comes from one of the following sources:(1)A breeder that is registered in accordance with this chapter...; or(2)A public animal shelter...; or(3)An animal rescue organization...; or(4)A hobby breeder registered in accordance with this chapter...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Since December 31, 2014, the Miami-Dade Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Ordinance (Code § 5-10(b)) bars pet dealers and pet shops from displaying, selling, trading, or transferring a dog or cat unless it is certified as coming from a Department-registered breeder, a public animal shelter, a registered animal rescue organization, or a registered hobby breeder. Sellers must post a certificate of source for each animal and give a copy to the buyer (§ 5-10(c)). A USDA-licensed breeder or dealer cited for a direct Animal Welfare Act noncompliance within the prior three years cannot sell in the County (§ 5-9(h)). Chapter 5 binds both incorporated and unincorporated Miami-Dade (§ 5-2(a)); a municipality may add stricter local rules but not weaker ones (§ 5-10(m)).
Violations & Fines
Selling or offering a dog or cat without a certified, approved source or without posting/providing the certificate of source is a Chapter 8CC civil violation and grounds for license suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Miami-Dade pet store still sell dogs and cats?
Does this rule reach pet shops inside cities like Hialeah or Doral?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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