Public health: retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Existing law requires a pet store operator, as defined, to comply with laws governing, among other things, the care and sale of, animals in a pet store. Existing law prohibits, commencing January 1, 2019, a pet store operator from selling a live dog, cat, or rabbit in a pet store unless the animal was obtained from a public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group, as specified. Existing law imposes, effective January 1, 2019, a civil penalty on a pet store operator who violates these prohibitions. This bill would additionally require a pet store operator to maintain records documenting the health, status, and disposition of each animal for at least 2 years after the animal is sold, and make these records available to specified individuals. This bill would require a pet store operator to provide to the prospective purchaser the pet return policy of the store. The bill would require the organization providing the animal to the pet store, upon request of the pet store operator, to provide the terms of the transfer and information about the animal, as specified. The bill would require a per store to provide any veterinary records of the animal to a prospective purchaser or purchaser.