California AB 485 prohibits Riverside County pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs, cats, or rabbits unless sourced from shelters or rescues, enforced locally by RCDAS and county code compliance.
Effective January 2019, California Assembly Bill 485 banned the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores unless the animals come from a public animal control agency, shelter, society for prevention of cruelty to animals, humane society, or nonprofit rescue. Riverside County retailers must post the rescue source for each animal and maintain transfer records available for inspection. RCDAS conducts compliance inspections, particularly in Temecula, Murrieta, and Palm Desert shopping districts. Private breeders may still sell directly, subject to Ordinance 630 kennel permitting if exceeding household pet limits.
Retail sale of commercially bred dogs, cats, or rabbits is a misdemeanor with civil penalties of $500 per animal. Inspection refusal triggers additional code-compliance fines.
See how Palm Springs's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
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