A. Pet stores shall not sell dogs, canine hybrids or cats but may sell other living creatures including, but not limited to, fish, birds, rodents, insects, arachnids, reptiles and other permissible exotic animals.
B. No pet store shall conduct business in the city without a shelter-refuge-professional animal site permit.
C. Applicant for a permit must have a valid New Mexico tax ID number and a city business registration.
D. Animals must be kept and maintained in a humane manner with adequate food, water and shelter. Animals must be housed and displayed in such a way to provide adequate enclosure space based on the size and habitat requirements of the animal.
E. No permit holder may sell or offer for sale any animal from a mobile facility or at a site away from the permitted site without obtaining a mobile business registration from the city clerk.
F. A permit holder shall be liable for the medical costs including medicine, up to the amount received for the sale of the animal, for any animal that is diagnosed as sick by a veterinarian qualified for the species within one week from the date of sale.
1. Permit holder shall reimburse purchaser the costs associated with the sick animal.
2. Purchaser shall be allowed to keep the animal.
3. Permit holder or purchaser may appeal to the city manager if there is a dispute regarding the fact or the illness or the amount of the charges.
G. Permit holder shall keep thorough and accurate records for each animal sold. Records shall be kept for three (3) years. Records shall be made available for inspection upon demand by the city manager. Records shall include, but are not limited to:
1. Date of sale.
2. Purchaser's name, address and telephone number.
3. Description and picture of animal.
4. Origin of animal.
H. Animals with known or suspected communicable diseases shall be isolated, as appropriate, and treated as soon as possible.
I. The daily use of antibiotics for preventative purposes, and not to treat a specific illness or condition, is prohibited whether administered in food, water or by any other method. (Ord. 2012-10, 11-13-2012)