Neptune Beach, FL to Define Hobby Breeders and Restrict Pet Sales

The Neptune Beach City Council will discuss but not vote on a proposed ordinance which will define hobby breeders and will prohibit those who own a certain number of pets from selling ANY animals. The AKC urges responsible dog owners and breeders to attend the meeting and oppose this burdensome and ineffective ordinance before a final vote is taken.

Neptune Beach City Council Workshop Meeting

Date: Monday, November 16th, 2015

Time: 5:30 PM

Location: Council Chambers, 116 First Street, Neptune Beach, FL

The proposal defines a hobby breeder as “a person or entity that is an active member of a national, state or local breeder organization and that houses or breeds dogs or cats at or adjoining a private residence for the purpose(s) of: improving the breed; exhibiting dogs or cats at shows operated by a national, state, or local breeder organization; or raising service animals or animals used for law enforcement or other types of work. A hobby breeder may sell two (2) litters of puppies or kittens per year, per household, so long as the total number of dogs and/or cats kept on the premises does not constitute a kennel as defined herein. A hobby breeder that sells more than two litters per year, per household shall be deemed to be a pet dealer, as defined herein.”

It is not clear what would be required to prove that you meet these criteria. No persons are members of the American Kennel Club, as only clubs are members or affiliates. In other jurisdictions adoption of similar hobby breeder definitions have led to increasing restriction on the activities of these breeders, with the exemptions being continually reduced and breeders forced to abandon their breeding programs.

A kennel is defined as having more than four dogs on a property of less than one acre or in any individual residence unit in a multifamily zoning district; more than six dogs on a property of between one and two acres; or more than eight dogs on a property of more than two acres. Anyone who exceeds these thresholds will be considered a kennel; will NOT be eligible to be classified as a hobby breeder. Instead they will be considered a “pet dealer” and will NOT be able to sell ANY animals other than those obtained from an animal rescue or an animal shelter.

What You Can Do

• Attend the Neptune Beach City Council meeting on November 16th and ask city council members to oppose this ordinance.
• Contact the members of the Neptune Beach City Council by email or phone prior to the meeting and ask them to oppose this ordinance.

AKC Resources:

AKC Position Statement: Canine Population Issues

Issue Analysis: The Value of Responsible Dog Breeders
AKC Position Statement: Breeding Restrictions
AKC Position Statement: Responsible Breeding Practices
Responsible Breeding Practices Issue Brief

Neptune Beach City Council

Emails for the council can be sent to the City Clerk at kstrait@neptune-beach.com.

Mayor Harriet Pruette
904-571-1755

Vice Mayor Richard Arthur
904-422-7424

Councilor Scott Wiley
904-626-4612

Councilor Kara Tucker
1650 Leeward Lane
904-502-3446

Councilor John Jolly
904-249-0225