Lodi, California

6.12.070 – Business of breeding or raising.

A. Any person who is engaged in the business of breeding or raising dogs or cats that produce offspring for sale or transfer (“breeder”) shall obtain a business tax certificate and pay a tax as set by resolution of the city council, subject to the requirements and exemptions set forth in Title 3 Revenue and Tax of the Lodi Municipal Code.

B. Any breeder shall be allowed the whelping of up to two litters for each breeding animal (dog or cat) within any twelve-month period. A litter is the offspring produced at one birth of a dog or cat from the same mother.

C. At no time shall the breeder be allowed to maintain more than four breeding animals of any variety (dogs or cats) within any business or household.

D. No puppies or kittens may be sold, adopted, bartered, gifted or otherwise transferred, until it has reached the age of at least eight weeks, unless the transfer of a puppy or kitten less than eight weeks old is authorized in writing by a licensed California veterinarian in accordance with State law.

E. The breeder selling or otherwise transferring a dog or cat, shall maintain written records for each dog or cat for a period of three years including a bill of sale with the name, address and telephone number of the animal’s new owner.

F. Breeders are subject to reasonable inspections of the premises to ensure that state health or safety laws and city ordinances relating to the keeping and care of animals are met.