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1 New Paragraph; Definitions; Animal Shelter Facility; Animal Rescue Organization. Amend RSA 437:1 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
I-a.
2 New Paragraphs; Definition; Pet Store. Amend RSA 437:1 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:
III-a. "Pet store" means a pet vendor that has a physical facility where animals are transfered to the general public at retail. "Pet store" does not include animal shelter facility.
3 New Section; Restrictions on the Sale of Animals; Pet Stores. Amend RSA 437 by inserting after section 3 the following new section:
437:3-a Restrictions on the Sale of Animals in Pet Stores. No pet store shall transfer cats, dogs, or rabbits at retail. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a pet store from collaborating with an animal shelter facility or animal rescue organization to offer space for such entities to display adoptable dogs, cats, or rabbits provided the pet store shall not have any ownership interest in the animals offered for adoption and shall not receive a fee for providing space for the adoption of any such animals.
4 Pet Store; Sales of Cats, Dogs, and Rabbits Prohibited; Penalty. Amend RSA 437:10, II to read as follows:
II.
In addition to the penalty under paragraph I , any pet vendor who violates any of the provisions of this subdivision or rule adopted under it may be subject to an administrative fine levied by the commissioner, not to exceed $1,000 for each violation.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2021.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Paragraph; Definitions; Animal Shelter Facility; Animal Rescue Organization. Amend RSA 437:1 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
I-a. " Animal rescue organization" means a pet vendor that is a nonprofit organization that is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and whose mission and practice is, in whole or in significant part, the rescue and placement of animals in permanent homes. "Animal rescue organization" does not include an entity that breeds animals for the purpose of selling their offspring or that obtains animals from such an entity for payment or other compensation.
2 New Paragraphs; Definition; Pet Store. Amend RSA 437:1 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:
III-a. "Pet store" means a pet vendor that has a physical facility where animals are transfered to the general public at retail. "Pet store" does not include animal shelter facility.
3 New Section; Restrictions on the Sale of Animals; Pet Stores. Amend RSA 437 by inserting after section 3 the following new section:
437:3-a Restrictions on the Sale of Animals in Pet Stores. No pet store shall transfer cats, dogs, or rabbits at retail. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a pet store from collaborating with an animal shelter facility or animal rescue organization to offer space for such entities to display adoptable dogs, cats, or rabbits provided the pet store shall not have any ownership interest in the animals offered for adoption and shall not receive a fee for providing space for the adoption of any such animals.
4 Pet Store; Sales of Cats, Dogs, and Rabbits Prohibited; Penalty. Amend RSA 437:10, II to read as follows:
II. A pet store that transfers cats, dogs, or rabbits at retail shall be subject to an administrative fine levied by the commissioner of $500. Each cat, dog, or rabbit offered for sale shall constitute a separate violation.
III. In addition to the penalty under paragraphs I and II , any pet vendor who violates any of the provisions of this subdivision or rule adopted under it may be subject to an administrative fine levied by the commissioner, not to exceed $1,000 for each violation.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2021.