Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending Chapter 39 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, "Zoning Code," to prohibit the sale or transfer of dogs and/or cats by a pet store in the Unincorporated Area, unless the animals are under the auspices of an animal shelter or a bona fide charitable animal rescue organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ACTION: (T-10:24 AM) Approved.

VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Jacobs was not present.

A motion to direct the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance requires Board approval.

Directs the County Attorney to draft an amendment to the Zoning Code to prohibit the sale or transfer of dogs and/or cats unless the animals being offered for sale, adoption or transfer are under the auspices of an animal shelter or a charitable animal rescue organization operating under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

None taken

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.

This amendment is consistent with recent efforts by several municipalities in Broward County, including Coconut Creek, Hallandale Beach, Margate, Parkland, Sunrise, Wilton Manors and others that have adopted similar regulations in response to concern for the health of animals, especially puppies, offered for sale in pet stores. The concern stems from an increasing awareness of "puppy mill" dogs surrendered to public shelters and rescue groups with behavioral and severe health problems as a result of inappropriate breeding practices. These regulations are intended to, not only reduce the number of surrendered animals that are humanely euthanized, but also protect consumers, who unknowingly purchase a dog with genetic problems that costs them both financially and emotionally. 

While there are no pet stores in the Unincorporated Area, pets store are currently permitted in B-2 General Commercial Business Districts located on the north side of Broward Boulevard and Sunrise Boulevard and the B-4 Commercial Redevelopment Overlay District on Broward Boulevard. Staff wishes to amend the Zoning Code, as proposed, to minimize the prospect that the Unincorporated Area will become a haven for "puppy mill" pet stores, resulting from municipal adoption of similar pet store restrictions and County economic development strategies to stimulate redevelopment along commercial corridors.