California law and San Bernardino County retail rules require pet stores selling dogs, cats, or rabbits to source only from shelters or rescues. AB 485 enforcement is shared between Animal Care, code compliance, and the California Attorney General.
California Health and Safety Code section 122354.5 (AB 485) bans retail pet store sales of commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits. Stores must post the originating shelter or rescue and maintain records for one year for inspection. SBC Animal Care officers may inspect during business hours and refer violations to district attorneys. Direct sales by hobby breeders to consumers remain legal but require kennel permits when scale exceeds Title 3 thresholds. The rule reduces puppy mill demand statewide.
Civil penalties up to five hundred dollars per animal under state law, plus county code-compliance citations and potential business license suspension by the relevant city or county.
See how San Bernardino County's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
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