State Laws - Pet Stores

State Pet Shop Laws: Missouri

Definitions:

• Adequate food: the provision, at suitable hours of not more than 12 hours, of wholesome food, suitable for the species and age, sufficient to maintain a reasonable level of nutrition in each animal. The food must be served in a safe receptacle, dish or container. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.325)
• Adequate housing: the continuous provision of a sanitary facility, protection from the extremes of weather, proper ventilation and appropriate space depending on the species of animal as defined by USDA regulations. (MO. ANN. STAT. §§ 273.329, 273.325)
• Adequate water: the provision, either continuously or at intervals suitable to the species, which intervals shall not exceed 8 hours, of a supply of potable water in a safe receptacle, dish or container. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.325)
• Animal: any dog or cat, which is being used, or is intended for use, for research, teaching, testing, breeding, or exhibition purposes, or as a pet. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.325)
• Commercial breeder: a person, other than a hobby or show breeder, engaged in the business of breeding animals for sale or for exchange in return for a consideration, and who harbors more than 3 intact females for the primary purpose of breeding animals for sale. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.325)
• Dealer: any person who is engaged in the business of buying for resale, selling or exchanging animals, as a principal or agent, or who holds himself out to be so engaged or is otherwise classified as a dealer by the USDA. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.325)
• Pet shop: any facility where animals are bought, sold, exchanged, or offered for retail sale to the general public. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.325)

Vet Care:

• Pet shops must provide an “adequate program” of vet care and comply with state agriculture dept rules for all animals in their custody. Must include regularly scheduled visits to premises. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.346, MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.020)
• Pet shops must keep records of vet services provided, and must show the records to state vet or animal welfare official on request. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.346)

Housing:

• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must provide “adequate housing.” (Penalty: license revocation) (MO. ANN. STAT. §§ 273.329, 273.325)
• Outdoor cages must allow each animal to sit, stand and lay in a “normal manner” and to “turn about freely.” Must provide a wind-break and rain-break at the entrance. Applies to pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers. (MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.030)
• Cages must prevent foot/leg injuries. Cages for cats must be minimum 24 inches high, except for queens with kittens. Cages for small cats must be 3 square feet and for large cats 4 square feet of floor space. Cats must have litter boxes. Dog cages must equal the length of the dog squared plus 6 inches and then divided by 144 (translates inches to square feet). The cage must be 6 inches higher than the tallest dog when standing. Applies to pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers. (MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.030)
• Dogs can be tethered if the tether is 3 times the dog’s length and there is a perimeter fence. Applies to pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers. (MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.030)

Lemon Laws:

• N/A

Food and Water:

• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must provide “adequate” food and water to animals in their custody. (Penalty: license revocation) (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.329)
• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must supply “adequate” food and water. Except USDA-licensed facilities. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.344)

Sanitary Conditions:

• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must provide “sanitary facilities” to animals in their custody. (Penalty: license revocation) (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.329)
• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must provide “proper conditions of sanitation.” Except USDA-licensed facilities. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.344)
• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must spot-clean and sanitize floors daily. Waste, bedding, debris and dead animals must be removed “regular[ly] and frequent[ly].” Animals must stay dry. (MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.030)

Unweaned Animals:

• N/A

Miscellaneous Provisions:

• License required for pet shops, dealers, and commercial breeders. (Penalty: class A misdemeanor) (MO. ANN. STAT. §§ 273.329, 273.344, 273.327, 273.331, 273.338)
• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must provide “proper conditions” of ventilation. Except USDA-licensed facilities. Must minimize odors, drafts, ammonia levels and moisture condensation. Auxiliary ventilation must be applied when temperature reaches 85 degrees. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.344)
• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must “sufficiently” heat and cool indoor for cats and dogs. Temperature can fall below 45 degrees or rise above 85 degrees for less than 4 consecutive hours. For short-haired or young or sick animals, must stay at 50 degrees minimum. (MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.030)
• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must track for 1 year the owner history for cats and dogs in their custody. Except USDA-licensed facilities. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.344, MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.020)
• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must keep health records for 1 year on each animal or litter. (MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.020)
• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must provide lighting adequate to allow routine inspection, cleaning and observation of the animals. Regular diurnal lighting required in animal areas. No “excessive” light on the cages. (MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.030)
• Animals can be seized in limited situations. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.335, MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.020)
• Premises and records can be inspected by state agriculture department. Law enforcement can inspect for missing/stolen animals. (MO. ANN. STAT. § 273.348, MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.020)
• Pet shops, commercial breeders and dealers must use euthanasia methods approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association when euthanizing dogs and cats. (MO. CODE REGS. tit. 2, § 30-9.020)

Notes:

1. Where “adequate space” is not defined the state has not established a definition for the term.
2. The definition of “animal” may actually be broadly written while the types of animals covered by the law (e.g., veterinary care, sanitation, food and water) may be more narrowly drafted.