§ 8-18. Animal breeding; pet dealers.

(a)

Breeding restrictions. It shall be unlawful for any person to breed animals on non-agriculturally zoned property, except as specifically permitted in this chapter. However, it shall be permissible for any household to have one litter per year (total, not per animal). In instances where a new litter causes a violation of section 8-17, the new litter shall be exempt from the provisions of section 8-17 for up to 12 weeks from the date of birth. Any more than one litter per household per year shall make such person a pet dealer.

(b)

Livestock breeding restrictions. Persons breeding livestock shall comply with applicable state regulations and laws. Livestock shall not be bred on non-agriculturally zoned property, nor on any agricultural property under five acres in size.

(c)

Operations requiring licensing. It shall be unlawful for any person to act as a pet dealer or operate a kennel, stable or private animal shelter unless such person has a valid license issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 4-11-1 et seq., and applicable state regulations.

(d)

Care of operations. It shall be unlawful to fail to keep the pet dealership premises, breeding operation, animal shelter, kennel or stable in a good state of repair, in a clean and sanitary condition, adequately ventilated, or disinfected when needed.

(e)

Impoundment of animals from unlicensed operations. Animals kept by or at any unlicensed pet dealer, private animal shelter, stable, or kennel are subject to immediate impoundment, at the owner's expense.