The Ohio Department of Agriculture reminds dangerous wild animal and restricted snake owners, and commercial dog breeders and retailers that permit applications for 2014 are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on December 31, 2013.
Dangerous Wild Animal and Restricted Snake Permits
After Jan. 1, 2014, a valid permit is required to keep an existing dangerous wild animal or a restricted snake. Among the application requirements are a permit fee, completed background check, signed affidavit affirming that housing facilities meet state standards, and proof of liability insurance or surety bond.
Dangerous wild animal owners who registered their animal in accordance with the law will be sent application materials, which are also available at: www.agri.ohio.gov/apps/odaforms/odaforms.aspx?div=Animal%20Health.
Restricted snake owners need to contact the department’s Division of Animal Health to obtain the appropriate application forms or download them from the department’s website by visiting: www.agri.ohio.gov/apps/odaforms/odaforms.aspx?div=Animal%20Health.
Completed permit applications, and all supplemental documentation, must be submitted to the department no later than 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2013 or owners will be in violation of Ohio law and risk the seizure of their animals. Dangerous wild animal and restricted snake owners that do not intend to apply for a permit should contact the Division of Animal Health at (614) 728-6220 as soon as possible to discuss options for surrendering their animals or snakes to the state or identifying an alternate permanent home.
Commercial Dog Breeder and Dog Retailer Permits
Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, a valid permit is required to operate a high-volume commercial dog breeding operation, or to serve as a dog retailer in Ohio. Among the application requirements for a high-volume dog breeder are a permit fee, completed background check, signed affidavit affirming that housing facilities meet state standards, and proof of liability insurance or surety bond. Breeders must also enter into a Veterinary-Client Patient Relationship with a licensed veterinarian who will provide care to the dogs in the kennel.
Dog retailers will also need to apply for a license with the appropriate fee, and submit to a background check. If someone needs both a high volume dog breeder license and a dog retailer license, they will need to submit the required fees and accompanying documents for both licenses.
Commercial dog breeders and dog retailers may contact the department’s Division of Animal Health at (614) 728-6200 to obtain the appropriate application forms. Application materials can also be downloaded from the department’s website by visiting: www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/ai/ai.aspx?div=commercial-dog-breeders.htm.
Completed permit applications, and all supplemental documentation, must be submitted to the department no later than 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2013 or owners may be subject to an enforcement action.
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