Agenda 08/26/2025 Item #11A (Staff to advertise an Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2013-55, establishing the Standards of Care for Animal-Related Businesses or Organizations, Breeders, and Rodeos Ordinance) (2)8/26/2025
Item # 11.A
ID# 2025-2283
Executive Summary
*** To be heard immediately following 9.B. ***
Recommendation to direct staff to advertise an Ordinance amending Ordinance 2013-55, which established the Standards
of Care for Animal-Related Businesses and Organizations, Breeders, and Rodeos Ordinance, and bring back the
Ordinance at an advertised public hearing. (Companion Items 9B and 11B)
OBJECTIVE: Request authorization for staff to advertise an ordinance amending Ordinance 2013-55, which
established the Standards of Care for Animal-Related Businesses and Organizations; Breeders; and Rodeos Ordinance to
strengthen hobby breeder requirements.
CONSIDERATIONS: On May 14, 2013, the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County (“Board”) adopted
Ordinance No. 2013-33, the Collier County Animal Control Ordinance, which was further amended by Ordinance No.
2018-33 and Ordinance No. 2024-26.
Section Fourteen of the Collier County Animal Control Ordinance provides that the Director of Animal Services "is
hereby granted authority to recommend Standards of Care for animal-related businesses, animal-related organizations,
commercial breeders, hobby breeders, and rodeos for approval by the Board of County Commissioners. "Standards of
Care shall be approved by ordinance of the Board and then codified in the Collier County Administrative Code."
On September 24, 2013, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 2013-55, which established the Standards of Care for
Animal-Related Businesses and Organizations, Breeders, and Rodeos.
At the July 8, 2025, meeting, the Board directed staff to include various partners (SNIP Collier, Collier County Special
Magistrate, Collier County Sheriff's Office, County Attorney's Office, Code Enforcement, and DAS) to discuss the
Standards of Care Ordinance and provide recommendations to enhance enforcement. Staff worked with the identified
partners to provide recommended changes.
The proposed changes will strengthen the requirements for all breeders, commercial or hobby, regardless if the domestic
animal is sold or otherwise has its ownership transferred. Associated fees outlined in the Domestic Animal Services Fee
Policy Resolution will be presented alongside this Ordinance for final consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact associated with this action will include advertising fees paid by Domestic Animal
Services Fund (0001).
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no Growth Management Impact.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved as to form and legality and requires a majority vote for approval.
-SAA
RECOMMENDATIONS: To authorize staff to advertise an Ordinance amending Ordinance 2013-55, which
established the Standards of Care for Animal-Related Businesses and Organizations; Breeders; and Rodeos.
PREPARED BY: Lisa Blacklidge, Planning Manager, Development Review Division, Growth Management
Department
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance Standards of Care
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ORDINANCE NO. 2025-_____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2013-55,
WHICH ESTABLISHED THE STANDARDS OF CARE FOR ANIMAL-
RELATED BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS, BREEDERS, AND
RODEOS IN COLLIER COUNTY, BY RENAMING “NON-
COMMERCIAL BREEDER” TO “HOBBY BREEDER”, AND BY
AMENDING THE REGULATIONS FOR THE SALE OF ANIMALS TO
APPLY TO ANY TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIPS, IN ORDER TO BETTER
REGULATE HOBBY BREEDERS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT AND
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF
LAWS AND ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2013, the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County
(“Board”) adopted Ordinance No. 2013-33, the Collier County Animal Control Ordinance, which
was further amended by Ordinance Nos. 2018-33 and 2024-26; and
WHEREAS, Section Fourteen of the Collier County Animal Control Ordinance provides
that the Director of Animal Services "is hereby granted authority to recommend Standards of Care
for animal-related businesses, animal-related organizations, commercial breeders, hobby breeders,
and rodeos for approval by the Board of County Commissioners. Standards of Care shall be
approved by ordinance of the Board and then codified in the Collier County Administrative Code;"
and
WHEREAS, on September 24, 2013, the Board of County Commissioners of Collier
County adopted Ordinance No. 2013-55, which established the Standards of Care for Animal-
Related Businesses and Organizations, Breeders, And Rodeos in Collier County; and
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to update the Ordinance by renaming “non-commercial
breeders” to “hobby breeders” for consistency with other local laws, and amending the regulations
for the sale of animals to apply to any transfer of ownership in order to better regulate hobby
breeders.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY FLORIDA, that Ordinance No. 2013-55, as
codified in Chapter 14, Article IV, of the Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, is hereby
amended as follows:
SECTION ONE: AMENDMENTS TO ORDINANCE NO. 2013-55.
SECTION ONE: Purpose of Ordinance.
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The purpose of this Ordinance is to create the Standards of Care authorized by Section
Twelve Fourteen of the Collier County Animal Control Ordinance. This Ordinance is expressly
limited to animal-related businesses, animal-related organizations, commercial breeders, non-
commercial hobby breeders, and rodeos and is to be read in conjunction with the Collier County
Animal Control Ordinance.
SECTION TWO: General Standards of Care.
Anyone who owns or maintains an animal-related business, animal-related organization,
commercial breeder, non-commercial hobby breeder, or rodeo must provide that animal:
* * * * * * *
SECTION THREE: Proper Animal Husbandry.
Anyone who owns or maintains an animal-related business, animal-related organization,
commercial breeder, non-commercial hobby breeder, or rodeo must exercise proper Animal
Husbandry, which includes the following practices:
* * * * * * *
SECTION SIX: Regulations for Breeders and Pet Shops.
A. Permit Notification.
1. The appropriate permit number shall be provided on all advertisements and
promotions concerning the sale or give-away transfer of ownership of an animal.
2. The appropriate permit number shall be provided to all persons who buy or accept
ownership of an animal.
B. Requirements for Sale or Transfer of Ownership of Dogs and Cats.
1. Dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens acquired for resale must be examined by a licensed
veterinarian within five business days of physical acquisition.
2. Dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens offered for sale or transfer of ownership must be at
least eight weeks of age.
3. Dogs, cats, puppies and kittens offered for sale or transfer of ownership must be
accompanied by an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI).
4. The OCVI must contain the following information:
a. The date of the examination by the examining veterinarian.
b. The examining veterinarian's license number.
c. The examining veterinarian's signature.
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d. The age, breed, sex, color, and any distinguishing marks of the animal.
e. The health record of the animal.
f. Any tests performed and their results, and any vaccinations or other
treatments administered, including vaccine type, lot number, expiration
date, and date of administration, including those not specifically
enumerated below.
g. A statement that the examining veterinarian warrants, to the best of his
knowledge, that the dog or cat has no sign of contagious or infectious
diseases and has no evidence of internal or external parasites, including
coccidiosis and ear mites, but excluding fleas and ticks.
h. A statement concerning whether or not the examining veterinarian has
detected any physical abnormalities in the dog or cat, including but not
limited to a heart murmur, and umbilical hernia, entropian entropion, and
inguinal hernia, and cryptorchidism.
5. The OCVI must document that the following inoculations, tests, and treatments
have been administered, unless the veterinarian certifies on the OCVI that to
inoculate or deworm the animal is not in the best medical interest of the animal, in
which case the vaccine or anthelmintic may not be administered to that particular
animal:
a. For dogs or puppies:
i. Vaccination against canine distemper, leptospirosis, bordetella,
parainfluenza, hepatitis, and canine parvovirus. A rabies inoculation
must be provided for any dog over three months of age.
ii. Diagnostic tests to detect the following internal parasites:
hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, coccidia and
giardia. Heartworm detection must occur for dogs six months of age
or older. Appropriate treatment for all positive findings must be
documented.
b. For cats or kittens:
i. Vaccination against panleukopenia, feline viral rhino tracheitis, and
calici virus. A rabies inoculation must be provided for any cat over
three months of age.
ii. Diagnostic tests to detect the following internal parasites:
hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and coccidia. Appropriate
treatment for all positive findings must be documented.
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iii. Diagnostic test to detect Feline Leukemia with the result listed on
the OCVI.
6. If the animal is less than four months of age, the tests, vaccines, and anthelmintics
required above must be administered no more than twenty-one days before sale or
transfer of ownership within the county. If the animal is four months of age or older,
the tests, vaccines, and anthelmintics required above must be administered at or
after three months of age, but no more than one year before sale or transfer of
ownership within the county.
7. The sale or transfer of ownership of the dog, cat, puppy, or kitten shall take place
no more than thirty days after the OCVI has been issued.
8. If a dog, cat, puppy, or kitten is not sold or had ownership transferred within thirty
days of the issuance of the OCVI, then a new examination and OCVI must be
obtained.
9. All dogs, cats, puppies and kittens offered for sale or transfer of ownership must be
implanted with a microchip.
C. Records.
1. Breeders shall maintain records of each litter of puppies and kittens born. Such
records shall include the date of birth, number of puppies and litters born, and the
license tag number of each parent.
2. Pet shops shall maintain records of each animal acquired for sale or transfer of
ownership. Such records shall include the name and address of the source of the
animal, the animal's date of birth, and date the animal was received.
3. Breeders and pet shops shall maintain a separate record of each animal sold or had
ownership transferred containing the breed, sex, color, and identifying marks of the
animal; all OCVIs and medical records for each animal; the name and address of
the purchaser; and the number of the microchip implanted in the animal. If the
disposition of the animal is not through sale, the records shall indicate the type and
date of disposition, including the name and address of any subsequent owner, if one
exists.
4. If a dog or cat dies while in the possession of a breeder or pet shop, the breeder or
pet shop shall secure the services of a licensed veterinarian to determine the cause
of death or suspected cause of death. The veterinarian shall document the date of
death and known or suspected cause of death on an OCVI.
5. Records indicating the disposition of all animals shall be forwarded to animal
services on a quarterly basis.
65. All records as described herein shall be kept for a period of two years.
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76. All records, including disposition of all animals, shall be made available to the
inspecting officer upon request.
D. Disclosures.
1. At the time of sale or transfer of ownership, breeders and pet shops must provide
the purchaser recipient with:
a. A copy of the complete record pertaining to the individual animal as
described above;
b. Literature to be provided by animal services outlining the provisions of the
Collier County Animal Control Ordinance; and
c. A copy of F.S. § 828.29, Dogs and cats transported or offered for sale;
health requirements; consumer guarantee.
2. The above information must be provided to prospective purchasers upon request.
E. Pet Lemon Law.
1. All breeders and pet shops must comply with any applicable provisions of F.S. §
828.29, Dogs and cats transported or offered for sale; health requirements;
consumer guarantee. Where any conflict exists between these standards and this
section, the more restrictive shall apply.
2. This section does not in any way limit the rights or remedies that are otherwise
available to a consumer under any other law.
F. Exemptions. Animal services, humane societies, and 501(c)3 rescue organizations shall be
exempt from the provisions of this section.
SECTION SEVEN: Penalties.
Failure to abide by this Ordinance may result in penalties as set forth in Section Thirteen
Fifteen of the Collier County Animal Control Ordinance or denial, revocation, or suspension of an
entity's County-issued license as provided in Section Twelve Fourteen of the Collier County
Animal Control Ordinance. Anyone who receives a citation, has been denied a permit or whose
permit has been revoked or suspended may appeal this action to the Special Magistrate or in a
court of competent jurisdiction within thirty calendar days from the date of notice.
SECTION TWO: CONFLICT AND SEVERABILITY.
In the event this Ordinance conflicts with any other ordinance of Collier County or other
applicable law, the more restrictive shall apply. If any phrase or portion of the Ordinance is held
invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a
separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portion.
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SECTION THREE: INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES.
The provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Code of Laws and
Ordinances of Collier County, Florida. The sections of the Ordinances may be renumbered or
relettered to accomplish such, and the word "ordinance" may be changed to "section," "article," or
any other appropriate word.
SECTION FOUR: EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Ordinance shall be effective upon filing with the Department of State.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier
County, Florida, this ____day of _____________, 2025.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Crystal K. Kinzel, Clerk of Courts COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: By:
, Deputy Clerk Burt L. Saunders, Chair
Approved as to form and legality:
_______________________________
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney