(A) GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(1) Valid permits are required to operate a multiple animal site, professional animal site, or shelter site, breed dogs or cats, have a litter of dogs and cats, possess a guard dog or possess an intact dog or cat that has been impounded as a stray. A person may obtain a permit under the following conditions:
(2) Submission of an application which shall include sufficient information to identify the name and address of the permit holder and owner for the property or site and payment of an annual permit fee at the office of the Animal Control Officer. Failure to renew the permit within 30 days of the expiration date may result in the assessment of a penalty fee in addition to the cost of the permit.
(3) Multiple animal sites, professional animal site and shelter site permits require a demonstration of a certification of zoning and land use from the Village of Los Ranchos Planning and Zoning Department.
(4) Upon presenting proper identification and with notice, an Animal Control Officer shall be allowed access to any multiple animal site, professional animal site or shelter site for the purpose of inspection. Permits may be suspended for failure to comply with the requirements of this Article, as well as for violation of other applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.
(5) Permits must be posted in a conspicuous place on the permitted premises and are nontransferable.
(6) All permit holders engaging in any commercial activity involving the sale of animals shall comply with the Village of Los Ranchos Business License Ordinance.
(B) SITE PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.
(1) Multiple animal sites, shelter sites and professional animal sites are required to meet all other provisions of the Village of Los Ranchos Animal Control Ordinance and the following standards: Food and unused bedding shall be stored in a location which protects it against excessive moisture, infestation and contamination. Perishable food shall be refrigerated.
(2) The kennel area shall be kept clean and sanitary in a way that protects animals from disease and injury. Animals shall be protected from cleaning agents during cleaning. Provisions shall be made to remove animal and food waste and clean or remove soiled bedding at minimum daily and as often as necessary to maintain the conditions in accordance with this Article. Disposal shall be made so as to minimize vermin infestation, odors and the spread of disease.
(3) Kennel area buildings and fences shall be structurally sound and kept in good repair to keep animals clean and dry, protect them from injury, contain them and keep predators out. Walls and floors shall be constructed of material impervious to moisture and easily sanitized. Adequate drainage shall be maintained and, when required, drains shall be constructed and operated in accordance with state, county and Village regulations and kept in good repair.
(4) Fresh air in kennel area buildings shall be provided by windows, doors, vents or air conditioning. Ventilation shall minimize drafts, odors and moisture condensation.
(5) Each animal shall be kept in compatible groups and have adequate space to prevent overcrowding. Kennel areas holding cats must contain an adequate number of litter boxes.
(6) All animals housed in the kennel area shall be provided with an adequate living area.
(7) Unsterilized female animals shall be segregated when in estrous except for breeding purposes.
(8) Each animal shall be observed daily by the person named on the permit or his/her designee. Any animal in need of veterinary attention, either due to illness, injury or disease, shall be provided such attention immediately. Ill and injured animals shall be segregated from other animals based on veterinary recommendations to prevent disease spread or further injury.
(9) Insects, parasites and rodents shall be controlled.
(10) A valid rabies certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian shall be present for each dog and cat housed at the kennel facility.
(11) Records of animal inventory, including acquisitions and dispositions, inoculations, and disease control and prevention programs shall be maintained and available for inspection by an Animal Control Officer.
(C) BREEDER PERMIT.
(1) No person shall keep, maintain or harbor any intact companion animal for the purposes of breeding without a breeder permit. Each dog or cat used for the purposes of breeding shall have a breeder permit. The resultant offspring shall not be sold for resale to commercial outlets or for the purpose of research.
(2) A female dog or cat shall have no more than one litter in any consecutive 12-month period.
(3) Upon presenting identification and with notice an Animal Control Officer shall be allowed access to any premises housing any animal with a breeder permit for the purpose of an inspection.
(D) LITTER PERMIT.
(1) The owner of an intact female dog or cat bred intentionally or unintentionally that does not possess a breeder permit is required to obtain a litter permit for each litter.
(2) Subsequent to the issuance of a litter permit, the permitted animal shall be sterilized within 120 days of the issuance of the litter permit.
(E) REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP.
(1) No person shall advertise, barter for, sell, or give away any puppy or kitten unless the applicable permit number is displayed legibly in all advertisements. The owner shall furnish the litter permit number or breeder permit number to any potential recipient upon request.
(2) Puppies and kittens can only be bartered for, sold, given away or otherwise transferred or conveyed from the residential location listed on the litter permit or breeder permit. Puppies or kittens being bartered for, sold, given away or otherwise transferred or conveyed on public or commercial property, even with the commercial property owner's permission, are in violation of this Article.
(F) INTACT ANIMAL PERMIT.
(1) Any person having a stray unsterilized dog or cat returned to him or reclaiming an impounded unsterilized dog or cat will obtain an intact animal permit or have the animal sterilized within 60 days of return. The permit shall be issued upon payment of the required permit fee and proof of current rabies vaccination for the animal. The permit will be renewed annually until proof of sterilization has been provided to the Animal Control Officer.
(2) Any animal found running at large twice shall be sterilized within 30 days of the second offense.
(3) An intact animal permit is required to keep a dog or cat exempt from being sterilized as mandated by applicable law when released prior to impound from an animal shelter.