An Ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, Amending Chapter 14 of the Pasco County Code Relating to Animals; Providing For Definitions to Remove Adoption Based Business Model and Amendment to Certificate of Source; Providing for Restrictions on the Retail Sale of Rabbits; Providing for Removal of Certain Retail Exemptions; Providing for Enforcement, Penalties and Remedies for Violation; Providing For Applicability; Providing for Repealer; Providing for Severability; Providing for Inclusion Into the Code of Ordinances; Providing for Transmission of Ordnance to the Department of State; and Providing for an Effective Date.

4:55Item P sixty nine was published in the Tampay Times on September twenty-fifth, twenty twenty two.

5:03Good afternoon, Commissioner. Mike Shumay, Director of Animal Services. Uh P69 is an ordinance amendment to Chapter 14. of the code. As you recall, on June 21st uh the board voted unanimously to ban the retail sales of rabbits in public venues, but then the board also directed animal services to return with an ordinance amendment for a full retail sale ban. on rabbits just like we did for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens.

5:35The ordinance pending title An ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, amending Chapter 14 of the Pasco County Code relating to animals, providing for amendment to definitions to remove adoption-based business model, providing restrictions on the sale of rabbits and retail establishments, providing for enforcement penalties and remedies for violation, providing for applicability, providing for repealer, providing for Severability, providing for inclusion into the code of ordinances,

6:05providing for transmission of the ordinance to the State Department, and providing for an effective date. So section 1427 is the definition section of Chapter 14. There we removed the adoption-based business model that we previously had when we had pet stores who were. exempted sort of grandfathered in and allowed to sell dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. We no longer need that since we're removing all exemptions,

6:35with the exception of a couple for rescue organizations and shelters. And then we also amended the certificate of source, which was primarily targeted to those retail establishments. But now as they're allowed to corroborate with rescue organizations and have opportunity for those folks to place their animals in those stores for adoption, the certificate of source responsibility is Yeah.

7:08The main section, 14108, there we have the the largest change in the ordinance, which is basically removing most of the exempt exemption part and putting in the ban on retail sales.

7:30And one last thing I'll just point out. Um

7:42Is that um one of the exemptions? Uh the first one was animal rescue organizations and government agencies as I mentioned. But also uh the second exemption is nothing in this section shall prevent pet stores from corroborating or collaborating, I'm sorry, with animal shelters, animal rescue organizations, or animal control authorities to offer space for such entities to showcase adoptable dogs, cats and rabbits. inside pet stores. However, all dogs, cats, and rabbits showcased for adoption shall not be younger than

8:12eight weeks old, and the pet store must not have any ownership interest in any dog, cat, rabbit displayed for adoption. Um

8:23The recommendation from Animal Services is to accept public comment, adopt a proposed ordinance amendment by roll call vote, authorize the chairman's signature on the same, and direct board records to transmit the ordinance amendment and the coding form by electronic mail to the State Department within ten days after enacting.

8:43Madam Chairman Mariano Chair Um and I uh raise your hands if you're here for this item, because I know there's quite a few that we've worked with in the past. Only two today. Okay, that's cool. Well what what I was gonna say was and and never ask you to take away anybody's opportunity to speak in public, but if we had a full house

9:05I I know we worked very closely with you guys to do this. I was gonna be like, Okay, maybe somebody one or two speak if you're okay with it and everybody else raise their hand in support if you're supportive of this. But if you but there's only two of you today. So um I know again, everybody here, you know, and and I can't remember maybe it was I can't remember maybe it was Commissioner Mariano at the meeting and said go ahead and bring this back, bring it forward on Commissioner Starkey. Um And I I know we all said at that time we were agre in agreement uh bringing this forward. Yeah. So I

9:35just don't s See there needs to be a whole lot of discussion today because we had it. We won't take away

9:40anyone's rights, but I think this is gonna sail through. But I do have a question for you. But not on this.

9:46Okay.

9:47Um but before we make the vote, let me ask you this. Are you okay? Are you done talking about it?

9:51I'm done. Yeah, just yeah, we gotta take public comment, but I was just wanted to make sure there wasn't, you know, if there was fifty people, could you maybe

9:56Well let me let me ask is there any Knowing that this is gonna probably be a five o can I say that? Uh is there any public comment?

10:05We have one lady signed up, Anne Marie Cancio.

10:11Yeah, I think you're fine. Um but um I think I forwarded to you an email where I have a constituent um that uh works at a Um a boat sales facility on nineteen and the cats are cause I never heard of cats hurting boats but thousands and thousands of damage the wild cats on nineteen.

10:32The wires.

10:32And I've seen those cats running around so I do want to go um visit them with you. And um because that's not okay.

10:40Yeah, we've got an officer going out to it to kinda assess the situation, see what's going on. So Yeah. All right,

10:46so um I think I would entertain a motion. Well

10:49asked for public comment,

10:50and we did have I found another name, um Renee Rivard, and there's no one online for this item.

10:56Seeing no one wanting to speak, I'll move for approval. Second.

10:59All in favor? Aye.

11:01Aye. That's roll call. Oh, is it?

11:04District 1, Commissioner Oakley.

11:06Aye.

11:06District 2, Commissioner Moore.

11:08Aye.

11:08District 4, Commissioner Fitzpatrick. Aye. District 5, Commissioner Mariano.

11:13Aye.

11:14District 3, Chairman Starkey.

11:15Aye.

11:16If they could all be that easy.

11:20Thank

11:20you. Okay. Um Where are we? P seventy?