South Bend, IN Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Sec. 5-65(a) requires anyone operating a pet shop, as defined in the animal chapter, to obtain a pet shop permit; the city does not bar retail sale of dogs and cats outright. Subsection (b) requires the permit holder to give every purchaser a written statement at the time of sale disclosing the date of sale, the purchaser's and permit holder's name, address and phone number, the permit number, the breed, description, approximate age and sex of the animal sold, medications and immunizations administered with dates, internal parasite treatment dates, and a guarantee of good health for at least one week with a recommendation that the buyer have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian; the shop must keep a copy of that statement for 12 months.

Subsection (c) requires the permit holder to register each buyer's name, address and phone number with the Division of Animal Welfare within five days of a dog or cat sale or transfer. Under subsection (d), the Animal Welfare Officer or the St. Joseph County Health Department can restrict the sale of an animal suspected of being diseased or unfit, order a veterinary exam at the enforcing agency's expense, and seize the animal to protect other animals or the public; if inspection finds the animal unfit, the permit holder must reimburse the enforcing agency's veterinary fees.

Subsection (e) requires sanitary housing and species-appropriate medical care, and subsection (f) bars selling, trading, or giving away any puppy or kitten under eight weeks old, except when surrendered to the Division of Animal Welfare.