As used in this article, the following words and phrases shall
have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
ANIMAL RESCUE ORGANIZATION
Any not-for-profit organization which has tax-exempt status
under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code
whose mission and practice is, in whole or significant part, the rescue
and placement of animals into permanent homes; and which does not
breed animals. "Animal rescue organization" does not include any entity
which: 1) is located on the same premises as a person, as defined
under MCLA § 287.331(q), that breeds dogs, cats, rabbits,
or ferrets; 2) has any personnel in common with such a person, including,
but not limited to, any employee, manager, or board member; 3) obtains
any dogs, cats, rabbits, or ferrets from such a person; or 4) facilitates
the sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, or ferrets that were obtained from
such a person.
CAT
A member of the species of domestic cat, Felis catus.
DOG
A member of the species of domestic dog, Canis familiaris.
FERRET
A member of the species of domestic ferret, Mustela putorius
furo.
OFFER FOR SALE
To sell, exchange for consideration, advertise for the sale
of, barter, auction, give away, or otherwise dispose of a dog, cat,
rabbit, or ferret.
RABBIT
A member of the species of domestic rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus.
RETAIL PET STORE
A commercial establishment where animals are sold, exchanged,
bartered or offered for sale as pet animals to the general public
at retail, and shall not include any "breeder," as defined under MCLA
§ 287.891(5).
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be unlawful
for a retail pet store to sell or offer for sale a dog, cat, rabbit,
or ferret. A retail pet store may provide space to an animal control
shelter, as defined in MCLA § 287.331(f), or an animal rescue
organization, as defined in this article, to offer to the public dogs,
cats, rabbits, or ferrets, provided that the retail pet store shall
not have any ownership interest in the animals offered and shall not
receive any fee for providing space or for the adoption of any of
the animals.
A person who violates this article is guilty of a misdemeanor,
punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of
not more than $500, or both, in the discretion of the court.