Westfield, IN Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Westfield City Code Chapter 10 treats a pet shop as one of fifteen listed types of "commercial animal establishment," alongside kennels, auctions, riding stables and veterinary hospitals. Sec. 10-7(a) requires every establishment, including pet shops, to avoid becoming a public nuisance, keep sick or diseased animals isolated, cage or control all animals, provide the care level required by the city's animal ordinances, avoid cruelty or neglect, refuse to sell un-weaned or diseased animals, and allow the animal control officer to inspect the premises at any time.

Sec. 10-7(c) requires a permanent building and a special use or other zoning permit, plus a commercial breeding or Hamilton County Sheriff's Office breeder's permit where applicable; a circus is the only establishment exempt if present under ten days a year. Kennels specifically are inspected under 9 C.F.R. §§ 3.1-3.19, adopted by the city, with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office as the inspecting agency. Separate from ordinary retail sale, Sec. 10-2 defines a "puppy mill" as any commercial operation, of any size, that breeds more than one female dog at a time without following good breeding, care and sale practices, distinct from a smaller-scale "backyard breeder." Sec.

10-7(f) states outright that puppy mills will not be permitted in the city, and Sec. 10-27 makes engaging in, participating in or assisting a backyard breeder or puppy mill operation a separate offense. Community Development handles the zoning/permit side of a pet shop's location; the Hamilton County Humane Society and Sheriff's Office handle animal welfare and breeder inspections under the city's contract arrangement.