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Leon County adopts ordinance banning retail sales of pets in unincorporated areas, grandfathering one rabbit seller
Summary
After public comments from rescue and humane organizations, the Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance prohibiting retail sales of dogs, cats and rabbits in unincorporated Leon County, while amending the measure to exempt and grandfather one existing store that sells rabbits.
Leon County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt an ordinance banning the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in the county's unincorporated areas, but amended the measure to exempt and grandfather one existing pet store that sells rabbits.
The change follows a public hearing during which animal-welfare advocates urged the board to adopt the ordinance to reduce surrendered animals and protect consumers. Savannah Vickery, intake coordinator for Redemptive Love Farm and Rescue, told commissioners her group has taken in rising numbers of rabbits from pet stores and urged the board to act. "We are pro ethical and responsible breeding and pro adoption," Vickery said.
The ordinance was introduced in the meeting packet as item 25; county staff described it as an amendment to chapter 4, article 2 of the Leon County Code of Laws, aimed at prohibiting retail sales of dogs, cats and rabbits in unincorporated areas. Several speakers supported the ban: Samantha Joles, president of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund at Florida State University College of Law, called it "a good policy decision for protecting us and our pets," and Katie Stryker, representing the Leon County Humane Society, said the shelter is receiving many surrendered rabbits.
Commissioner John O'Keefe moved to adopt the ordinance as recommended by staff; Commissioner Cummings seconded. Commissioner Minor offered a substitute motion to exempt rabbits, citing visits with the local store owner and concerns about the economic impact on a single, long-standing supplier. After debate, the substitute motion was amended to grandfather the existing unincorporated business that sells rabbits so long as it continues to meet legal and inspection requirements. The amended substitute passed unanimously.
County staff told the board there are currently no retail stores selling dogs or cats in unincorporated Leon County and only one retail seller of rabbits. The board's amendment is intended to avoid immediate economic harm to a local pet-supply business while putting in place the broader retail prohibition.
What the ordinance does and does not do: the adopted language prohibits retail pet sales in unincorporated areas; the board's amendment exempts one named local business (grandfathering) for rabbit sales. The change does not affect breeders or adoption placements by shelters, which speakers emphasized they support.
The county attorney and animal services staff will prepare the final ordinance language and the grandfathering terms for the clerk to publish. The board did not set an effective date in the hearing record; staff will provide implementing details as the ordinance is finalized.
Votes at a glance: the final, amended substitute motion to adopt the ordinance with a rabbit exemption and a one-store grandfathering provision passed unanimously.
