California AB 485 prohibits pet stores statewide from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits unless sourced from a public shelter or registered rescue. Santa Ana retailers must comply, post sourcing signs at each enclosure, and keep paperwork available for inspection by city or state staff.
Effective since 2019 under California Health and Safety Code section 122354.5, every retail pet store in Santa Ana selling dogs, cats, or rabbits must obtain those animals from a public animal control agency or 501(c)(3) rescue partner. Each enclosure must be posted with the source agency name and the animal must be available for purchase only if it has been spayed, neutered, and microchipped. Santa Ana inspectors and OC Animal Care officers verify compliance, and the California Department of Public Health and Attorney General can pursue additional enforcement. Stores selling pet supplies and offering adoption events from approved rescues remain fully compliant.
Each unlawful sale is a 500 dollar civil penalty under state law, with additional citations possible under SAMC business licensing for repeat offenses or false sourcing documentation.
Santa Ana, CA
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Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana follows OC Animal Care policies that strongly encourage spay and neuter, with sharply higher license fees for unaltered dogs. California Food and A...
Santa Ana, CA
California Food and Agricultural Code section 31108.3 requires shelters and rescues to microchip dogs and cats before transfer to a new owner. OC Animal Care...
See how other cities in Orange County handle pet store rules.
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