Chapter 6.13
KENNELS AND CATTERIES
Sections:
6.13.020 Commercial kennels and catteries.
6.13.030 Private kennels and catteries.
6.13.040 Denial, revocation or suspension of license.
6.13.020 Commercial kennels and catteries.
A. Commercial kennels and catteries located in the city of Sequim shall be licensed as required by this section. Commercial licenses shall be per calendar year. The fee for a commercial license is payable to the city of Sequim animal control. An additional fee shall be paid if the license is not renewed by January 31st of each calendar year. Upon applying for license the requester must provide proof of their business license.
B. Applications for commercial licenses shall be made to the city of Sequim animal control. Each application shall be made on forms developed by the city of Sequim.
C. The following operation standards shall be observed in connection with a commercial kennel/cattery:
1. Suitable shelter, food, water, medical attention, and exercise of animals shall be provided;
2. Food shall be stored in a fashion which prevents spoilage and infestation;
3. The facilities shall be maintained and operated in a healthful, sanitary manner, free from disease, infestation and foul odors;
4. Sick animals shall be isolated from healthy ones in quarters adequately ventilated to prevent contamination of healthy animals;
5. Animals shall receive adequate food, water and care on days when the facility is not open for business;
6. Animals shall be immunized from disease as is usual and customary for the animal’s age and species;
7. Maintenance of a written record of all animals born, sold, immunized (to include type of immunization) or which die, and the cause of death;
8. Dead animals shall be properly disposed of by freezing and holding for pick-up, incineration in a crematorium, or through contract with the Clallam County Humane Society;
9. Animal feces shall be properly bagged, sealed, and disposed of.
D. The animal control officer or his or her agents may inspect existing or proposed kennels/catteries in connection with its licensing investigation, upon receipt of a complaint, or when inspections are necessary to ensure compliance with this title. (Ord. 99-007)
6.13.030 Private kennels and catteries.
A. Private kennels and catteries located in the city of Sequim shall be licensed as required by this section. Private licenses shall be per calendar year. The fee for a private license is payable to the city animal control. An additional fee shall be paid if the license is not renewed by January 31st of each year.
B. Applications for private licenses shall be made to the city animal control. Each application shall be made in writing on forms developed by the city animal control.
C. The following standards shall be observed in connection with a private kennel/cattery:
1. Animals must have an adequate supply of drinking water, sanitary sleeping quarters, and adequate shelter and exercise areas appropriate to their size, breed characteristics and climate;
2. All animals shall be supplied with sufficient food and water as often as the feeding habits of the respective animals require, but not less than, in the case of puppies or kittens under four months of age, three times every 24 hours, and in the case of adults, once every 24 hours;
3. All animals shall be maintained so as to eliminate excessive and nighttime noise;
4. All animal feces shall be properly bagged, sealed, and disposed of.
D. The animal control officer or his or her agents may inspect existing or proposed kennels/catteries in connection with its licensing investigation, upon receipt of a complaint, or when inspections are necessary to ensure compliance with this title. (Ord. 99-007)
6.13.040 Denial, revocation or suspension of license.
A. The city of Sequim animal control authority may refuse issuance or renewal of a license, or revoke or suspend said license, upon finding after such investigation or hearing as it deems necessary that:
1. The license fee has not been paid;
2. The application is not complete;
3. Upon the inspection by the animal control officer or his or her authorized agent, the business does not meet the operational standards for a kennel/cattery as set forth in this chapter;
4. Such license was issued illegally, or by mistake or inadvertence, or was procured by fraud, misrepresentation, false or misleading statements, evasions or suppression of material facts, or that any of the material facts contained in the application are false;
5. Any person owning an interest in, or sharing in the profits of, the business has, within a two-year period, been:
a. Guilty of two or more violations of this title; or
b. Guilty of a violation of any provisions of Chapter 16.52 RCW; or
c. Guilty of any other misconduct, or improper, fraudulent, or wrongful behavior relating to the operation of a kennel/cattery;
6. Any servant, agent, employee or representative of a commercial kennel/cattery has been guilty of any act or omission while on the premises of the commercial kennel/cattery, where said act constitutes a criminal violation of this chapter, or Chapter 16.52 RCW, or has been guilty of any misconduct or improper, fraudulent or wrongful behavior relating to the operation of a commercial kennel/cattery if:
a. The circumstances surrounding any of the foregoing acts or omissions are such as to establish that such act was knowingly allowed by any person sharing in profits of said business, or if a corporation, any officer or director thereof, or any person acting as a proprietor, manager, or person in charge of such business; or
b. In any event, if three or more such acts or omissions have occurred on the premises within a two-year period;
7. The operation of the kennel/cattery constitutes a public nuisance.
B. Any applicant who has duly made application for a commercial license under the provisions of this section and has been denied such license, or any person holding a license which is revoked or suspended under the provisions of this section, may file a petition with the director or his designee demanding a hearing for the purpose of contesting such denial, revocation or suspension; provided, that such petition must be filed within 10 days following notification of such denial, revocation or suspension. Such denial, revocation or suspension shall be stayed upon the filing of such petition pending final determination of the director. The director shall set a date, no less than 10 days following the mailing of notice thereof for a hearing, of which all interested parties shall be notified. All evidence bearing on the questions of whether such denial, revocation or suspension is proper under the provisions of this section may be received at that hearing. If the director shall determine upon such hearing that such denial, suspension or revocation is not proper under the provision of this chapter, he/she shall notify the city of Sequim animal control, which shall cause the license to be issued or reinstated forthwith. If the director determines upon such hearing that such license should be denied, suspended or revoked under the provisions of this section, he/she shall issue such order in writing. An appeal of such an order may be made in the district court of Clallam County in the matter provided under the general laws of the state of Washington. (Ord. 99-007)
6.13.050 Violations.
A. Operation of a private or commercial kennel or cattery without obtaining a valid license is a Class 1 civil violation.
B. Failure to observe operational standards of commercial kennels or catteries shall be a misdemeanor.
C. Failure to observe operational standards of private kennels or catteries shall be a Class 1 civil violation.
D. Refusal to allow inspection of any kennel or cattery by an animal control officer or his or her agent is a misdemeanor. (Ord. 99-007)
6.13.060 Exemptions.
Medical facilities, veterinarian clinics, Humane Societies, government-operated shelters, game farms, zoological facilities, and state and federally licensed research facilities are exempt from the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 99-007)