Every animal services facility and kennel located in the city shall be licensed under this chapter.
(Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
The animal control authority may promulgate standards for the humane care of all animals in animal services facilities and kennels and/or such other regulations as may be necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of animals in animal services facilities and kennels. The standards and regulations may be amended from time to time as deemed necessary by the animal control authority.
(Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
A.
A person wanting to operate an animal services facility or kennel shall apply for a license at least 30 days before commencing operation of an animal services facility or kennel.
B.
Application shall be made upon forms furnished by the animal control authority and shall be accompanied by the required fee specified in MCMC § 6.18.110, except that nonprofit animal shelters are exempt from paying the fee. A copy of the standards and regulations promulgated pursuant to MCMC § 6.06.020 shall be provided upon application for any animal services facility or kennel license.
C.
Prior to issuance of a license, the department shall conduct an inspection of the proposed animal services facility or kennel and must determine that the proposed animal services facility or kennel meets the requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 2007-660 § 1; Ord. 2025-943 § 2 (Exh. B))
A license issued pursuant to this chapter shall be renewed on or before January 31st of each year. Applications for renewal shall be made upon forms furnished by the animal control authority and accompanied by the required fee specified in MCMC § 6.18.110.
(Ord. 2007-660 § 1; Ord. 2025-943 § 2 (Exh. B))
A.
The holder of a license issued under this chapter shall comply with the following requirements:
1.
The license shall be conspicuously displayed on the premises.
2.
The license is not transferable to any other animal services facility or kennel.
3.
Inspections and Records.
a.
The holder of a license shall allow inspection of the facility by the animal control authority as the animal control authority may reasonably determine to be necessary to carry out its duties and enforce the Mill Creek Municipal Code.
b.
The holder of a license issued under this chapter shall allow inspection of any animal by the department, and shall present for inspection any license or vaccination certificate or other records required by this chapter.
c.
All animal services facilities and kennels shall maintain for inspection at reasonable times by the animal control authority a record of the name, address and telephone number of the owner of each animal kept at the facility, the date each animal was received, the purpose therefor, a description of each animal including age, breed, sex, color, the animal's veterinarian, if known, and, in the case of a commercial kennel, the name and address of the previous owner or seller.
4.
Rabies Vaccination and Certificate Required.
a.
Every adult dog and adult cat harbored at an animal services facility or kennel shall be effectively vaccinated against rabies and have a current rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. The vaccination certificate shall be signed by a licensed veterinarian and shall indicate the expiration date of the vaccination and the type of vaccination used.
b.
In the absence of scientific proof as to the efficacy of the vaccination, no hybrid animal shall be considered to be “effectively vaccinated” within the meaning of this section notwithstanding that such animal may have a current vaccination certificate.
B.
The animal control authority may impose such additional requirements on any license issued under this chapter as may be reasonably necessary to further the purposes of this chapter and the Mill Creek Municipal Code.
(Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
A.
The animal control authority may deny an application or renewal for a license, or may revoke any license issued under this chapter, for any failure to meet the requirements of this chapter.
B.
In the event that a license application or renewal is denied or a license is revoked for an animal services facility or commercial kennel, the applicant and/or operator may not make a new application for an animal services facility or commercial kennel license for a period of one year after the date of the denial or revocation and until such applicant and/or operator meets the requirements of this chapter to the satisfaction of the animal control authority.
C.
In the event that a license application or renewal is denied or a license is revoked for a hobby kennel, the applicant and/or operator may not make a new application for a hobby kennel until such applicant and/or operator meets the requirements of this chapter to the satisfaction of the animal control authority.
(Ord. 2007-660 § 1)
Any applicant and/or operator aggrieved by a decision of the animal control authority to deny or revoke a license may file an administrative appeal to the hearing examiner pursuant to Chapter 6.20 MCMC. Failure to appeal will constitute a waiver of all right to an administrative hearing and determination of the matter.
(Ord. 2007-660 § 1)