Fulton, Missouri

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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Commercial animal establishment means any pet shop, grooming shop, guard dog auction, riding school or stable, zoological park, circus, performing animal exhibition or boarding or breeding kennel, training school or any other like facility.

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Kennel means an establishment where small domestic animals are boarded for compensation or where two or more dogs are bred or raised for commercial purposes.

Sec. 14-67. – Impoundment and violation notices.

The animal control officer shall comply with the following pertaining to the impoundment of animals and shall give notice as follows:

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(5) Any animal not claimed by its owner within seven days shall become the property of the city and may be adopted by anyone. No person shall be permitted to adopt more than two animals in a one-year period. Any unclaimed animals may be offered for adoption for a period not to exceed 14 days. No person shall be permitted to adopt any animal that has not been spayed or neutered. In addition to adoption fees, animals will be spayed or neutered at the adopter’s expense. Adopters must pay in advance for the spaying or neutering of animals prior to scheduling veterinary services. No animal shall be sold to an educational or scientific institution or an agent thereof. All animals not redeemed or adopted shall be properly disposed of by the animal control officer.

Sec. 14-19. – License for kennels, commercial animal establishments and animal shelters—Required.

(a) No person shall operate a kennel or commercial animal establishment or animal shelter without first obtaining a business license in compliance with this section.

(b) The licensing authority shall promulgate regulations for the issuance of licenses and shall include requirements for humane care of all animals and for compliance with this chapter and other applicable laws. The licensing authority may amend such regulations from time to time as deemed desirable for the public health and welfare and for the protection of animals.

(c) When a license applicant has shown that he is willing and able to comply with the regulations promulgated by the licensing authority, a business license shall be issued upon payment of the applicable fee.

(d) No person shall train any dog to be used as a guard or sentry dog without possessing a valid license. This section shall not apply to the city government or any of its agencies. The application for a guard or sentry dog training license shall state the name and address of the owner and trainer, location of the facility, and the maximum number of dogs to be housed at the training facility.

Sec. 14-20. – Same—Issuance and revocation.

(a) After an application for a license pursuant to section 14-19 is filed, the licensing authority or his designee shall inspect the facility prior to issuing the license. The licensing authority may revoke any license if the person holding the license refuses or fails to comply with this chapter, the regulations promulgated by the licensing authority or any law governing the protection and keeping of animals.

(b) Any person whose license is revoked shall within ten days thereafter humanely dispose of all animals owned, kept or harbored. No part of the license fee shall be refunded.

(c) It shall be a condition of the issuance of any such license that the licensing authority shall be permitted to inspect all animals and the premises where animals are kept at any time and shall, if permission for such inspection is refused, revoke the license of the refusing owner.

(d) If the applicant has withheld or falsified any information on the application, the licensing authority shall refuse to issue a license and shall have authority to revoke any such license already issued.

(e) No person who has been convicted of cruelty to animals shall be issued a license to operate a commercial animal establishment.

(f) Any person having been denied such license may not reapply for a period of 30 days. Each reapplication shall be accompanied by a fee established by the city council from time to time.