Animal Welfare of Surry NC

The new Surry County Animal Control Ordinance has passed. Once a meager 12 page the new Ordinance has an additional 20 pages. Nothing has really changed. It just elaborates a little more of the ordinance that we already have. But, it will make it a little harder for people who are brought into court for  disobeying them.

One thing is new and not in the old ordinance. Under the Animal Welfare article VII Surry County Breeding Kennels must be registered.

Section4. A current registration shall be maintained by the Animal Control Department for each breeding kennel located within the County. The owner or operator of said breeding kennel is responsible for ensuring that the same is registered hereunder. Registrations required under this section shall be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this Ordinance and shall thereafter be renewed in January of each year.

All registrations shall inlude name, address, phone number and the owner/operators of the same, the address and physical location of the breeding kennel and the number of dogs over the age of 6 months being kept at the breeding kennel as of January 1 of the year for which the registration is made.

A breeding kennel is any person or group of persons engaged in breeding dogs or cats where (5) or more litters per year are produced.

Hopefully, this will cut down on backyard breeders who keep there dogs in less than sanitary conditions and fear a visit from Animal Control. Or, maybe they will cut down there inventory and stop breeding so many.

This will also help people interested in buying a dog from a reputable breeder. They will  now be registered with the county.  That is good news for hobby/professional breeders who actually breed dogs for the love of the animal and not for a quick buck.