Albany County, NY Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Code of the County of Albany §§ 110-19 to 110-34
- Permitting agency
- Commissioner, Dept. of General Services
- Pet seller threshold
- More than 9 dogs/cats sold per year
- Breeder exemption
- Under 16 home-raised animals sold per year
- Vet unfitness window
- 14 days illness / 180 days congenital defect
- Civil penalty
- $100 to $500 per violation
- Adopted
- July 18, 2014, by L.L. No. 2-2014
Summary
Anyone who sells more than nine dogs or cats a year in Albany County for profit must hold a Commissioner-issued pet seller permit and meet minimum standards of care, or a source-breeder certification for dogs, under Code § 110-19 et seq. Buyers get statutory refund, exchange or vet-reimbursement rights if a licensed veterinarian finds the animal unfit for purchase.
It is unlawful for any pet seller to display, offer for sale, sell, barter or exchange for nominal consideration any dog or cat within the County of Albany without first obtaining a permit from the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall issue permits to pet sellers only upon proof that the animals displayed, offered for sale or sold by such sellers are raised and maintained in a safe and healthy manner.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4022468; v11 updated 2024-07-21).
Full Breakdown
Adopted in 2014 as Chapter 110, Article III, this law regulates any 'pet seller', defined as a person who sells or offers more than nine dogs or cats per year for profit, including breeders, though a residential breeder selling fewer than 16 animals born and raised on their own premises is exempt (§ 110-20). ' Permit applications require a nonrefundable fee set by the County Legislature, must be renewed annually, and sellers must display their permit number in every advertisement (§ 110-22). The Commissioner can refuse, suspend or revoke a permit for Agriculture and Markets Law Article 26 cruelty convictions, unpaid fines, or uncorrected violations, after a hearing (§ 110-23).
Sellers face at least yearly inspections, more often for those selling under 16 animals a year if a complaint warrants it (§ 110-25), against detailed minimum standards of care covering housing, temperature (50°F to 85°F), sanitation, feeding at least twice daily, veterinary care and isolation of sick animals (§ 110-26). Dog dealers and source breeders must certify their dogs meet equivalent breeder standards before supplying a pet seller (§§ 110-29, 110-30). Consumers who buy an unfit animal, certified by their own veterinarian within 14 business days for illness or 180 days for a congenital defect, may demand a refund, an exchange, or reimbursement of veterinary costs, and sellers must post these rights at point of sale (§§ 110-27, 110-31).
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of this article is a civil offense carrying a fine of $100 to $500 per violation (§ 110-32). For violations of the consumer-protection or recordkeeping sections (§§ 110-27, 110-28), the Commissioner may also seek a court injunction to stop continued violations and obtain restitution, without having to prove any consumer was actually injured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pet stores sell dogs and cats in Albany County?
What if I buy a sick animal?
Where do dogs sold by County pet stores have to come from?
What happens if a pet seller operates without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albany County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Albany County to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
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