Muncie, IN Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)

Muncie treats rescue facilities the same as pet shops under its "animal establishment" permit scheme. City Code § 90.28(A) bars any person or organization from operating a pet shop or rescue facility, collectively called an "animal establishment," without first obtaining a permit from the animal care and services department, and requires a separate permit for each enterprise. Applicants must disclose any prior cruelty-to-animals convictions, agree to comply with Chapter 90, and authorize the director to inspect their facilities and animals at any time under §§ 90.28(B)-(C).

To qualify, § 90.28(D) requires the establishment to avoid becoming a public nuisance, keep sick or diseased animals isolated, keep every animal caged or under control at all times, follow the chapter's general animal-care standards, and never sell unweaned or visibly diseased animals. Permits run on a calendar year beginning January 1, with prorated fees for mid-year applicants. Under § 90.28(F), a pet shop pays $200.00 annually while a non-profit animal rescue facility pays $100.00 annually, with proceeds funding the department's spay/neuter assistance fund. Because § 90.01(Q) defines "rescue facility" broadly as any non-municipal facility harboring or re-homing animals, including nonprofit shelters, the permit requirement reaches any such organization operating within city limits.