20 V.S.A. § 3931 Sale of dogs, cats, and wolf-hybrids by pet shop; prohibited
3931. Sale of dogs, cats, and wolf-hybrids by pet shop; prohibited
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a pet shop shall not offer a dog, cat, or wolf-hybrid for sale.
(b) The prohibition under subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to a pet shop that lawfully offered animals for sale prior to July 1, 2024, provided that the pet shop complies with all of the following:
(1) the pet shop maintains a valid license under section 3906 of this title;
(2) the pet shop remains in the same ownership as existed on July 1, 2024; and
(3) the pet shop keeps for sale or offers for sale in any calendar year no greater a number of dogs, cats, or wolf-hybrids than it kept for sale or offered for sale in calendar year 2023.
(c) In order to qualify for the exception under subsection (b) of this section, a pet shop shall provide to the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets, in a form and manner prescribed by the Department, documentation of the ownership of the pet shop on July 1, 2024 as well as the number of animals offered for sale in 2023 and annually thereafter.
(d) Notwithstanding the prohibition on the sale of dogs, cats, and wolf hybrids under subsection (a) of this section, a pet shop may provide space to an animal shelter or a rescue organization offering dogs, cats, or wolf-hybrids to the public for adoption for an adoption fee, provided that the pet shop:
(1) does not have any ownership interest in the dogs, cats, or wolf-hybrids offered for adoption; and
(2) does not receive any fee for providing space or for the adoption of any of the dogs, cats, or wolf-hybrids.
(e) A person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.00 and shall be subject to the suspension or revocation of the person’s pet shop license. Each instance of a person offering an animal for sale in violation of this section constitutes a separate violation.
Added 2023, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 20, eff. July 1, 2024.