(A) Limitations. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to keep or harbor more than four dogs, cats, or ferrets of any combination over the age of two months. This section shall not apply to veterinary clinics, animal kennels, pet shops or rescue organizations.
(B) Rescue organization permit required to house rescue animals. Any rescue organization approved by the Animal Control Authority shall apply with the Department for a multiple pet permit and may house more than four animals as determined by a city permit. The city permit shall note the maximum number of approved animals to be harbored, as determined by an inspection and as granted.
(1) Inspection required. An animal control officer, prior to issuance of such permit, shall on-site inspect the premises, facilities, and kennels. A permit shall not be issued or can be immediately revoked if a permit has been given, by the Chief of Police or designee if an inspection determines:
(a) That the requested number of animals cannot be maintained without creating noise or odor nuisances;
(b) That the requested number of animals cannot be maintained in a healthy and sanitary environment;
(c) The number of animals harbored exceeds that allowed by a city permit;
(d) Animals are not kept secured by a fence or kennel or are found to be tethered;
(e) Animals are not receiving adequate shelter, food, water or medical treatment; or
(f) Animals housed by rescue organization members for another rescue organization are kept longer than 90 days, counting the day of release from the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter.
(2) No inspection required. Applicants who provide proof of having a current multiple pet permit, and who have not obtained additional animals since their last inspection and have had no enforcement actions for violating this chapter during the preceding 12 months, may be issued a permit without inspection as determined by the Department. The Department may require an inspection during reasonable hours at its discretion regardless of the applicant's history.
(C) All multiple pet permits issued under this section shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance and shall be valid only as to the applicant and location for which it was originally issued.
(D) A person commits an offense if the person is a holder of a multiple pet permit and refuses, upon request by an animal control officer during reasonable hours, to make the animals, premises, facilities, equipment, and any necessary registrations or permits available for inspection.
(E) A person commits an offense if the person is a holder of a multiple pet permit and refuses to show a permit upon request by an animal control officer.
(F) A person commits an offense if the holder of a multiple pet permit harbors more animals than authorized in a permit.
(G) A person commits an offense if the person is a holder of a multiple pet permit and is found in violation of this section and fails to return an assigned rescue animal to the shelter upon receiving verbal or written notice from an animal control officer.
(H) A person commits an offense each day they are in violation of this section.
(Ord. 2002-1, passed 2-19-02; Am. Ord. 2017-1, passed 1-17-17; Am. Ord. 2017-21, passed 12-19-17; Am. Ord. 2024-5, passed 2-20-24)