Mishawaka, Indiana

Sec. 14-1. – Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

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Breeder means any person or for-profit business or corporation which harbors or keeps any animals, and allows or causes those animals to procreate, for the purpose of selling the offspring.

Sec. 14-14. – Spaying, neutering, and microchipping of adopted animals.

(a) Any dog or cat adopted from a local humane society, animal care facility, or animal adoption agency shall be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of adoption if the dog or cat is over three months of age. If the dog or cat is less than three months of age upon adoption, it shall be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian upon reaching the age of six months. A dog or cat shall not be spayed or neutered if a licensed veterinarian certifies that said animal is physically unable to undergo such an operation within the time limitations. The individual adopting the dog or cat must sign a written agreement with the adopting facility guaranteeing that such animal shall be neutered or spayed within the time limitations specified in this section.

Sec. 14-51. – Pet registration.

(b) Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of any dog or cat over the age of three months must obtain a pet registration for such animal. No pet registration shall be required of any municipal animal control facility or governmental agency, or for a service dog. Animals belonging to those agencies or persons will be issued complimentary registration tags.

Sec. 14-53. – Breeder permits.

(a) No person shall operate as a breeder without first obtaining from the city or its agent a breeder permit and paying the necessary fees. Any person holding a breeder permit shall furnish, at the time of sale, to each customer purchasing a dog or cat a written statement containing the following information:

(1) Date of sale;

(2) Name, address, and telephone number of the purchaser and permit holder;

(3) Permit holder’s number;

(4) Species, breed, description, age, and sex of dog or cat sold;

(5) The animal’s origin, its owner’s name and address, and its health papers, as required understate law;

(6) Vaccination and parasite medication administered to the animal, date administered, and the name of the veterinarian or person who administered the same;

(7) Guarantee of good health for a period of not less than one week, with recommendation to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian.

(b) The permit holder shall retain a copy of said written statement for a period of 12 months from the date of sale and provide a duplicate copy to the licensing authority if the purchaser resides within the corporate limits of the city.

(c) The permit holder shall also deliver to the purchaser at the time of sale a written statement of the registration and licensing requirements applicable to the purchased animal if the purchaser resides within the corporate limits of the city. Such statement shall be prepared by the city and provided by the animal control agency.

(d) All breeders shall take care to house animals in a sanitary manner and to provide appropriate veterinary services, humane care, and housing according to the needs of individual species.

(e) There shall be four types of breeder’s permits.

(1) Minor breeder permit.

a. Any owner or person having custody of a dog or cat that has delivered a litter, who chooses not to relinquish the animal to the animal control agency and does not choose to have the animal neutered or spayed, shall be required to purchase a minor breeder permit for the sum of $50.00 per animal, plus any applicable kennel/cattery permit fees.

b. Each permit will be valid for one year from issuance.

c. No litter may be delivered from the permitted cat or dog or on the owner’s property during the existence of a minor breeder’s permit. Such an unauthorized litter will result in the property and/or animal owner being required to obtain a major breeder permit.

d. A permit is needed whether the litter was a result of an intentional pregnancy or not.

(2) Major breeder permit.

a. Any owner or person having custody of a dog or cat that has delivered more than one litter in 12 months time who chooses not to relinquish the animal to the animal control agency and does not choose to have the animal neutered or spayed, shall be required to purchase a major breeder permit for the sum of $100.00 per animal, plus any applicable kennel/cattery permit fees.

b. Each permit will be valid for one year from issuance.

c. A permit is necessary whether the pregnancies were intentional or not.

Sec. 14-59. – Fees.

In addition to all other fees required by law, an animal owner shall pay the following annual fees:

(1) Each altered and microchipped animal …..$10.00

(2) Each altered and nonmicrochipped animal …..15.00

(3) Each unaltered and microchipped animal …..15.00

(4) Each unaltered and nonmicrochipped animal …..25.00

(If a licensed veterinarian determines that the neutering or spaying process constitutes a threat to the health of said animal, the fee shall be calculated as though the animal were altered.)