Macomb Township, Michigan

Sec. 4-16. – Definitions.

Animal breeder. Any firm, person, or corporation which is engaged in the operation of breeding and raising animals for the purpose of selling, trading, bartering, giving away, or otherwise transferring same.

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Hobby breeder. Any person, business, organization, or corporation that is registered with the Macomb County Animal Control Division and is in good standings, that does not meet the state (MDARD) requirements for the large-scale breeder and has less than fifteen (15) intact animals over the age of four (4) months, that breeds animals for sale, trade or giving away and whose primary source of income is not derived from the breeding and/or sale of animals.

Sec. 4-19. – Licensing.

(f) Hobby breeder registration. A county permitted hobby breeder may sell, trade, exchange or otherwise place up to twenty (20) animals per calendar year.

(1) Registration. Hobby breeder registrations are limited annually to one (1) per person, entity, corporation and location. The applicant must not have been convicted of animal negligence, cruelty, abuse, or in violation of Macomb County Animal Control Best Practices. All registration requests are subject to approval. Registration fees shall be periodically reviewed by the Macomb Office of the County Executives.

(2) Inspection. A recipient of a hobby breeder permit shall allow an inspection performed by animal control as specified in subsection 4-17(d) annually, without a warrant of the premises used for sheltering, harboring, and/or maintaining, except for those portions of the premises used solely for human habitation or to house personal pets not used for breeding. Conditions are specified in section 4-20 and section 4-22. Hobby breeders shall maintain current verifiable records for a period of at least two (2) years. The records shall include:

a. The verified name and address of the person from whom the animal was acquired, where the animal was acquired, and the date that the animal was acquired.

b. A description and identification of the animal, including the animal’s identification information, color, breed, sex, alteration status, and approximate weight and age.

c. The date and method of disposition of the animal. If the animal is adopted, transferred, or sold, the records shall also include the verified name and address of the person to whom the dog is adopted, transferred, or sold.

d. The number of intact breeding adult animal.

e. Breeding records for each female intact animal that include the approximate date the animal was bred and the birth date and size of each litter.