Lincoln, Nebraska

6.02.140 Commercial Boarding Kennel.

Commercial boarding kennel shall mean any kennel where pet animals owned by another person are temporarily boarded for pay, trade, barter, commission, or remuneration of any sort; and said commercial boarding kennel is duly licensed under the laws of the State of Nebraska; provided, this definition shall not apply to zoos or to animal hospitals.

6.02.290 Hobby Breeder.

Hobby breeder shall mean any person who breeds and raises pet animals at his or her place of residence; provided that (1) such breeding activity is incidental to keeping pet animals for personal enjoyment, and (2) the premises are not a kennel regulated by the Lincoln Municipal Code. At least one parent of the pet animal must be kept upon the residence or premises.

6.02.300 Cattery.

Cattery shall mean any kennel where more than two and less than sixteen unneutered and/or unspayed cats are owned, harbored or kept for organized shows, breeding for exhibition, or for the enjoyment of the household; provided, however, this definition shall not apply to the Humane Society, animal shelter, animal research facilities, zoos, or to animal hospitals operated by veterinarians duly licensed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. 

6.04.150 Shelter Fee; Release from Shelter.

a. Prior to the release of an animal to its owner, the owner shall provide the following:

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5. Proof of surgical sterilization or a deposit to secure sterilization for any dog or cat that has been impounded two or more times for violations of this title according to Animal Control records. Such proof or deposit shall be provided prior to the release of the impounded dog or cat as follows:

i. For proof of surgical sterilization, the owner shall provide a current written statement signed by a licensed veterinarian that the dog or cat is surgically sterile; or

ii. For a deposit to secure sterilization, the owner shall provide a spaying or neutering deposit to the Director accompanied by forms provided by the Director. The Director shall release the deposit only upon proof in the form of a written statement signed by a licensed veterinarian that the dog or cat has been surgically spayed or neutered within fifteen days from the date of the deposit. The Director may release the deposit to the veterinarian who performed the surgical sterilization upon the signature of the owner expressly authorizing such release. If the owner shall fail to have such dog or cat spayed or neutered within fifteen days from the date of the deposit, such deposit shall be forfeited. In addition, failure to sterilize the dog or cat shall constitute a separate violation of this title.

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c. New owners of unclaimed animals shall:

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2. If the animal is a cat or dog over the age of six months, have it neutered or spayed within fifteen days after being released from the shelter.

6.08.182 Commercial Breeding Kennel: Permit Required.

It shall be unlawful for any person to have or maintain a commercial breeding kennel within the City of Lincoln without first having obtained such a permit from the Director.

Any person wanting to operate a commercial breeding kennel shall make application to the Director for a Commercial Breeding Kennel Permit. The following shall be submitted with the application:

Proof of current licenses, rabies vaccination, and registration with a nationally recognized registration organization for each dog to be kept or harbored on the premises.

A drawing or plan showing the location and dimensions of the premises, dog runs or pens, and distances to neighboring properties.

The permit fee shall be $100 in addition to required licensing fees for each dog as required in Section 6.08.030.

Upon a finding by the Director that the premises are in compliance with the terms of the permit and the law, said permit will be issued. Only one permit per premise shall be issued. A permit shall not be granted if permit holder possesses a current multi-dog household permit on the same premises.

6.12.070 Cats Running at Large.

It shall be unlawful for any owner, keeper, or harborer of any cat to let such cat run at large, unless a valid license tag is attached and said cat is spayed or neutered.

6.12.130 Cattery Permit.

It shall be unlawful for any person to have or maintain a cattery within the City of Lincoln without first having obtained such cattery permit from the Director as herein provided.

Any person having a cattery shall make application to the Director for said permit. The Director shall issue the permit upon finding that the premises are in compliance with the law, the permit fee has been paid, each cat has been properly licensed and vaccinated against rabies, and upon compliance with the following conditions:

a. Permits are not transferable from one person to another person or place.

b. A permit holder shall notify the Director of any change in operations which may affect the status of said permit and shall keep the Director apprised of any change in name or location of the permit holder’s kennel.

c. The cattery permit shall expire December thirty-first of each calendar year for which issued.

All permits shall be due January first of each year and shall expire on December thirty-first following.

d. The permit fee shall be fifty dollars plus the cat license fee for each cat, as required by Section 6.12.030.

e. Failure to maintain the premises in compliance with the law, or failure to make payment of the permit fee, or failure to maintain proof showing that each cat has been properly licensed and vaccinated against rabies may result in the immediate termination of the cattery permit by the Director.

Any decision of the Director under the provisions of this section may be appealed to the District Court as provided by law.