St. Joseph County, Indiana

§ 90.01. – Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

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Breeder means any person, for-profit business or corporation that harbors or keeps animals (i.e., cats, dogs, minks, chinchillas and ferrets), with the exception of livestock, that is permitted by zoning laws, and allows or causes these animals to procreate, intentionally or accidentally, for the purpose and intent of selling, trading, receiving other compensation or to give away the animals; or any person who has one or more unaltered animals who habitually (two or more) has accidental litters.

§ 90.33. – Spaying, neutering and microchipping of adopted animals.

(A) Any dog or cat adopted from a local humane society or animal care facility or animal welfare organization or animal adoption agency shall be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian within 60 days of adoption if the dog or cat is over three months of age.

(B) Upon reaching the age of six months an exception can be made only if a licensed veterinarian certifies that the 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 the animal shall be neutered or spayed within the time limitations specified in this section.

§ 90.60. – Permits.

(F) Minor breeder permit.

(1) 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 or animal welfare organization and/or does not choose to have the animal spayed within 12 weeks of the animal giving birth, shall be required to purchase a minor breeder permit as set forth in the appendix: schedule of fines and fees plus any applicable kennel/cattery permit fees. The minor breeder permit is valid for the cat or dog for 12 months from the time the litter is born, providing no other litters are born within a 12-month period of time.

(2) All applicants must be in compliance with all local zoning ordinances, state and federal rules.

(G) Major breeder permit.

(1) 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 or other animal welfare organization and/or does not choose to have the animal spayed within 12 weeks of the animal giving birth, will be required to purchase a major breeder permit.

(2) A fee as set forth in the appendix: schedule of fines and fees, plus any applicable kennel or cattery permit fees.

(3) Any owner or person who has custody of multiple dogs or cats that have delivered more than one litter and prefers to breed intentionally or accidentally those animals the following shall prevail provided they are zoned appropriately according to county zoning laws. Proof of vaccination for rabies given by a licensed veterinarian must be provided in order to obtain a permit.

(4) They must adhere to the general animal care requirements set forth in section 90.02.

(5) All applicants must be in compliance with all local zoning ordinances, state and federal rules.

§ 90.64. – Licenses.

(A) All dogs and cats owned by residents of the unincorporated portions of St. Joseph County shall be required to be licensed. The purpose of this licensing is for identification and enforcement of required rabies vaccination. If the animal does not have an applicable county tag within 30 days from the time that the tag becomes invalid then there will be a fine as set forth in the appendix: schedule of fines and fees. When the tag is issued for a period of one year, the date will coincide with the rabies vaccination certificate and become invalid in one year and one day. When the tag is issued for a period of three years, the date will coincide with the rabies vaccination certificate and become invalid in three years and one day.

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(D) The tags shall be purchased by the animal control agency who shall distribute them to the veterinarians who in turn shall collect the following licensing fees for dogs and cats that have been vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian: