Wellington, FL Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Sec. 4-2 of the Code of Ordinances, added to Chapter 4 - Animals, makes it unlawful under subsection C for any pet store, defined as a retail establishment open to the public that sells or transfers dogs and/or cats regardless of age, to display, sell, trade, deliver, barter, lease, rent, auction, give away, transfer, offer for sale or transfer, or otherwise dispose of a dog or cat in Wellington. Subsection B separately bans establishing, operating or maintaining a puppy mill or kitten mill in the Village, defined in subsection A as a breeding facility meeting any two of seven listed conditions, among them keeping more than 20 puppies under 12 weeks or 20 kittens under 16 weeks at once, breeding a single female every cycle or more than five times, keeping no genetic health testing or parentage records, and housing more than eight dogs or kittens per enclosure using the space standards in the Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control Ordinance.

Subsection D exempts breeders selling animals bred and reared on property they own, animal shelters, animal rescue organizations, and any shelter or rescue that operates in connection with a pet store. Subsection E confirms a pet store may still provide space and care for shelter or rescue animals kept there for public adoption. Violators face the general penalty set in Sec. 1-11 of the Code, and Wellington may also file a civil action to enjoin the violation under subsection F.