Saint Paul restricts pet shops from selling commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits, requiring retail animals to come from shelters or rescues, aligning with Minnesota's growing humane sourcing trend.
Saint Paul Legislative Code Ch. 198 regulates retail pet sales and limits storefront sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits to animals sourced from animal shelters, humane societies, or nonprofit rescue organizations. The ordinance targets large commercial breeders and so-called puppy mills by removing the retail pipeline. Pet stores must keep records of source organizations and make them available to DSI Animal Control inspectors on request. The rule complements Minnesota's commercial breeder licensing framework under Minn. Stat. Sec. 347.57 through 347.66, which requires inspection of facilities producing more than ten litters annually. Existing inventory at adoption was grandfathered with notice.
Selling commercially bred dogs, cats, or rabbits, falsifying source records, or refusing inspection by DSI Animal Control can result in license revocation and citations under Ch. 198.
Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 198 caps household pets and authorizes Animal Control to intervene when conditions, sanitation, or animal welfare deterio...
Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul does not mandate spay or neuter but uses Chapter 198's tiered license fee, charging substantially less for sterilized dogs and cats and more for i...
See how Saint Paul's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
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