(a)
Except for household pets, the maintenance, feeding, or keeping of exotic animals, horses, cows, sheep, goats, or other animals of any kind is prohibited. Household pets include cats, caged birds, not over two spayed or neutered pot-bellied pigs licensed in accordance with this Chapter, fish, mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, not more than two dogs, and similar domesticated pet animals, all of the aforesaid kept as household pets. Special regulations shall apply to the keeping of chickens, as described in Article 12.
(b)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Chapter are not applicable to the following:
(1)
Owners who use animals for diagnostic purposes or research, and who have a valid permit issued by a governmental agency, and whose animals are kept on the premises specified in the permit.
(2)
Owners who use animals for teaching purposes in recognized educational institutions and whose animals are kept on the premises of the institution or other authorized place.
(3)
Owners of establishments that treat or board animals on the premises, and that are owned or operated by a veterinarian licensed by the state.
(4)
Owners who are engaged in animal husbandry as a permitted use pursuant to the zoning ordinance as described in Section 4-11-1105.
(5)
Owners of horse-riding academies and public and private horse stables and premises on which they are operated, as a conditional use pursuant to the zoning ordinance.
(6)
Owners of licensed pet shops.
(7)
Other circumstances when specifically authorized by the Animal Control Director after a determination that such authorization would be consistent with the intent of this Chapter.