Ottawa County, Michigan

Article 3 – Public Safety Ordinances

ARTICLE CCC.I.II – Definitions

Definitions: Whenever the following terms are used they shall have the meanings set forth in this article.

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300.1.2.7 “Dog Kennel” shall mean any establishment which keeps on boards dogs for profit whether for breeding, sale or sporting purposes.

ARTICLE CCC.I.V – Dog Kennels

300.1.5.1 Kennel Licenses: Any person who owns, keeps or operates a kennel may, in lieu of individual licenses required for dogs under this Ordinance and under the Statutes of the State of Michigan apply to the County Treasurer’s Office or Animal Shelter for a kennel license entitling that person to own, keep or operate such kennel in accordance with applicable Laws of the State, including but not limited to MCL §287.270. The dogs in the kennel covered by the kennel license must be kept for sale, boarding, breeding, training or sporting purposes for remuneration. Pets must be licensed individually and will not be covered under the kennel license.

300.1.5.2 Application for Kennel Health Permit: In order to obtain a kennel license, any person who owns, keeps or operates a kennel at any single location within the boundaries of Ottawa County except in cities, villages, or townships with their own animal control agency, shall; (1) within thirty (30) calendar days prior to the start of such operation, or; (2) a person which has been previously issued a kennel license shall apply for a new kennel license by June 1 of each year, to the County Treasurer’s Office or Animal Shelter, which shall issue such license if the kennel is in compliance with Sections 10 and 11 of Act 339, of the Public Acts of 1919, as amended, being Sections 287.270 and MCL §287.271, and with any applicable ordinance of the city, 18 village or township in which it is located. The County Treasurer or Animal Shelter will not issue a kennel license to any person who has been denied a kennel license by the city, village or township where they reside. Failure to apply for a kennel license within the prescribed time limits will result in a doubling of the applicable fee.

300.1.5.3 Inspection:  The Animal Control Officer shall have the right to inspect any kennel in the Ottawa County in order to determine whether said kennel is in compliance with this Ordinance and the State Statute. If the kennel has been issued a license, it shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer to suspend said license if, in the Officer’s opinion, conditions exist which are not in compliance with this Ordinance, Section 10 of Act 339 of the Public Acts of 1919, as amended, being MCL §287.270, and the rules of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, pending correction of such conditions, and further shall have the ability to revoke said license if such conditions are not corrected within a designated reasonable time. 

300.1.5.4 Double Fencing: All licensed kennels shall be required to have double fencing. The fencing on a dog run shall constitute one fence. The fence on the outer perimeter shall be constructed in such a manner as to prevent stray animals and people from making direct contact with kennel animals. Exceptions to the above would be: 1) solid fence such as a solid privacy fence and/or 2) animals kept inside a building or solid structure.

300.1.5.5 Conditions of Kennel: Any dog kennel which under Michigan State Law is to be covered by a license shall be of such construction as will adequately and comfortably house any dogs kept therein during any season of the year. The buildings, including walls and floor, shall be of such construction as to be readily cleaned and kennels and yards connected therewith used to confine kennel dogs shall be kept clean and free from accumulation of filth and debris.   All dogs kept or maintained in connection with such kennels shall be furnished with a clean, fresh water supply and adequate and proper food to maintain such animals in a state of good health. 

300.1.5.6 Rabies: Any kennel dog four (4) months old or older must have a current rabies vaccination as evidenced by a valid certificate of vaccination for rabies with a vaccine licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture, signed by an accredited veterinarian or affidavit of the kennel owner. Failure to comply with this requirement shall be a violation of this Ordinance and subject the dog’s owner to the penalties set forth in Article XII.

300.1.5.7 Revocation of Permit: A kennel health permit may be revoked if a condition exists which will endanger the health of the community or if the kennel is, in the opinion of the Director, not in compliance with this Ordinance.

300.1.5.8 Forfeiture of Fee. Upon revocation of a kennel health permit no part of the fees paid for the license and health permit shall be returned and such fees shall be forfeited to the County. 

300.1.5.9 Display of License and Health Permit: Every person having a kennel license and a kennel health permit shall keep the license and permit posted and exhibited in a conspicuous manner at the kennel.

300.1.5.10 Local Zoning: No kennel health permit shall be valid for any kennel which violates any zoning ordinances or official land use plan. No permit shall be valid where such use is declared a nuisance by the relevant Township Board or City Commission.

300.1.5.11 Fees: The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners shall set the fees associated with this Article and all other provisions in this Ordinance.

ARTICLE CCC.I.IX – Public Spay/Neuter Clinic

300.1.9.1 General: The Director may establish or designate a clinic at which members of the public may have dogs or cats spayed or neutered. It shall be the goal of this clinic to provide services at a reduced cost for animals owned by persons who would not otherwise have their animals altered.

300.1.9.2 Costs: The fees and costs of surgery shall be established by the County Board of Commissioners. 

300.1.9.3 Certification of Ownership: Any person submitting a dog or cat for the above service shall sign a consent form prepared by the Department of Health certifying that he is the owner of the animal (or setting forth facts showing that he is otherwise authorized to present the animal for the above operation) and such person may be required to furnish proof of ownership or authority. The consent shall waive liability of the County, the Animal Shelter, and County employees for injury or death to the animal arising out of the aforementioned operation.

300.1.9.4 Abandonment: The Animal Shelter shall establish a return date by which a person submitting a dog or cat for the above operation shall pick-up said animal or be subject to reasonable board and care fees commencing the day after the return date. Failure to pick up an animal within five days of a return date shall be deemed abandonment of the animal and the director may dispose of it by sale or destruction.