Cartersville, Georgia

Sec. 5-8. – Animal breeding; pet dealers.

(a) Breeding restrictions. It shall be unlawful for any person to breed animals on non-agriculturally zoned property, except as specifically permitted in this chapter. However it shall be permissible for any household to have one (1) litter per year (total, not per animal). In instances where a new litter causes a violation of section 5-7, the new litter shall be exempt from the provisions of section 5-7 for up to twelve (12) weeks from the date of birth. Any more than one (1) litter per household per year shall make such person a pet dealer.

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(c) Operations requiring licensing. It shall be unlawful for any person to act as a pet dealer or operate a kennel, stable or private animal shelter unless such person has a valid license issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 4-11-1 et seq., and applicable state regulations.

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(e) Impoundment of animals from unlicensed operations. Animals kept by or at any unlicensed pet dealer, private animal shelter, stable, or kennel are subject to immediate impoundment, at the owner’s expense.

Sec. 5-37. – Sterilization of dogs and cats placed for adoption.

(a) Sterilization required. Every sexually mature dog or cat placed for adoption by the animal shelter or a humane society shall be sterilized by a licensed veterinarian within thirty (30) days of the adoption.

(b) Costs. All costs of sterilization incurred by the animal shelter or a humane society shall be included in any fees charged by the animal shelter or humane society for such animal.

(c) Written agreement. Every person adopting a dog or cat shall enter into a written agreement at the time of the adoption with the animal shelter or humane society guaranteeing that sterilization will be performed by a licensed veterinarian within thirty (30) days after the acquisition of such animal in the case of an adult animal or within thirty (30) days of the sexual maturity of the animal in the case of an immature animal. Failure to comply with this agreement shall be a violation for each day beyond thirty (30).

(d) Evidence required. Any person acquiring an animal from the animal shelter or humane society, which animal is not sterile at the time of acquisition, shall submit to the animal shelter or humane society a signed statement from the licensed veterinarian performing the sterilization required by subsection 5-37(a) within seven (7) days after such sterilization attesting that such sterilization has been performed.

(e) List of veterinarians. The animal shelter or humane society shall maintain and furnish to any person acquiring an animal a current list of veterinarians who have notified the animal shelter or humane society that they are willing to perform sterilization and the cost for such procedures.