Pomona, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Chapter 6's pet shop article defines a "pet shop" as any place where pets are kept and offered for sale as part of the business of selling pets, and "pets" broadly to include dogs, cats, monkeys, birds, fish, reptiles and animals like chicks, ducklings, rabbits and lambs kept or sold as pets. There is no prohibition in this article on selling dogs or cats retail; Pomona instead licenses and regulates the operation of pet shops, which are separately subject to the city's general business license requirements under chapter 30.

Section 6-112 gives the shelter manager standing authority to enter and inspect any pet shop's premises at any reasonable time. Section 6-113 then lists ten specific operating duties: post a framed, glass-enclosed, sidewalk-legible notice with names and phone numbers of people reachable any hour to let the shelter manager in; supply sufficient food and water as often as needed; keep animal quarters clean, sanitary and well-ventilated; shelter animals from weather and extremes of heat or cold; never leave animals unattended more than 18 consecutive hours; prevent teasing or mistreatment; offer only strong, healthy animals for sale; keep enclosures escape-proof and take responsibility for recapturing any animal that gets loose; isolate sick or diseased animals; and never house animals that are natural enemies or temperamentally unsuited together.