Notice:
Since 1969 the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) has licensed and regulated pet shops offering mammals other than livestock or rodents for sale. Due to state financial constraints, MDA can no longer operate the pet shop program. Therefore, effective August 1, 2009, the department is suspending the pet shop program.


In addition, effective today, MDA will no longer accept new applications for a pet shop license. Although MDA will no longer be regulating pet shops, all pet shop operators are advised to use the laws and regulations concerning pet shops as guidelines for animal care in their facilities. As the department is suspending the program, MDA will also no longer be supplying pet shop health certificates effective August 1, 2009. Complainants wishing to file complaints against pet shops will be directed to local law enforcement agencies.

Laws and Regulations

The laws relative to Pet Shops are (follow the links):

• Pet Shops, Dog Pounds and Animal Shelters: Public Act 287 of 1969, as amended:
  The primary law pertaining to pet shops. This law specifies who does and does not need a pet shop license and it includes requirements for importing and selling puppies and kittens.

• Regulation 151 (Pet Shops, Dog Pounds and Animal Shelters):
  Regulations and requirements for operating a licensed pet shop. This is a very important regulation to read and understand, as it covers areas that MDA Inspectors review when visiting pet stores.

• The Animal Industry Act: Public Act 466 of 1988, as amended:
  Requirements for importing wild and exotic animals such as birds and reptiles.

• Bodies of Dead Animals: Public Act 239 of 1982:
  An Act to license and regulate animal food manufacturing plants, transfer stations, dead animal dealers, rendering plants, and certain vehicles.

• Regulations for Public Act 239 of 1982
  Bodies of Dead Animals

• Liability of Owner for Dog Bite: Public Act 73 of 1939
  An Act providing for the recovery of damages by persons bitten by dogs; and creating a liability of the owners of such dogs.

• The Turtle Act: Public Act 424 of 1988
  State requirements for the sale of small turtles. (Federal law covers to whom turtles may be sold, state law covers specifics about the sale.)

• The Ferret Act: Public Act 358 of 1994
  Legalized and controls the sale and breeding of ferrets.

• Sale of Baby Chicks, Rabbits, Ducklings, or Other Fowl or Game: Public Act 163 of 1945:
  Prohibits the sale of dyed chicks, rabbits, ducklings, etc.
  

• Pseudorabies and Swine Brucellosis Control and Eradication Act: Public Act 239 of 1992:
  Swine laws, pertinent for stores selling pot-bellied or other pet pigs.

Additional Materials

• An Overview of Regulations Governing Animal Shelters and Dog Pounds
  This sheet summarizes requirements of Public Act 287 of 1969 and Regulation 151.

• Rabies and Animal (Mammal) Bite Protocol Sheet
  Breaks down the proper procedures for potential and positive rabies situations.

• Proper Disposal of Animal Carcasses Brochure
  Summarizes state requirements for disposal of dead animals.

• Ferret Health Advisory Sheet Memorandum
  Explains requirements for the Ferret Health Advisory Sheet as required by Public Act 358 of 1994.

• Ferret Health Advisory Sheet
  Must accompany every ferret sold or transferred in the State of Michigan.

• Chlamydiosis (Psittacosis) Brochure
  This brochure explains the disease chlamydiosis and how it effects birds and humans.

• Turtle Health Advisory Sheet
  This sheet must be distributed whenever turtle eggs or live turtles smaller than 4 inches in shell length are sold in Michigan.

• Salmonella in Reptiles
  This fact sheet explains the disease salmonella and how it effects reptiles and humans.
  

• NASPHV Psittacosis Compendium
  Requirements for chlamydiosis/psittacosis control.

• NASPHV Rabies Compendium
  Requirements for rabies control.