Board of Health Code, pet services stakeholders information

Public Health - Seattle & King County and the King County Board of Health are beginning the process of updating the regulations and permit requirements for pet shops, commercial kennels, pet daycares, pet grooming businesses, and animal shelters. The purpose of these regulations is to assure that these establishments are maintained in a sanitary manner and in accordance with environmental standards to promote animal health and control the spread of disease to people. For more information about diseases that may be transmitted from animals to people see www.kingcounty.gov/health/zoonotics.

Currently, pet businesses in Seattle are permitted by Public Health and those outside the city of Seattle (with some exceptions) are permitted by King County Records and Licensing. After these regulations are updated, Public Health will take over the responsibility for permitting and inspection of these businesses county-wide.

The new code will replace the some of the current requirements for pet businesses contained in King County Code Title 11. The Seattle Municipal Code (SMC Chapter 10.72) and the Rules and Regulations pertaining to pet businesses located in the city of Seattle were last updated in 1984 and 1973, respectively. These Seattle regulations will also be merged into the new Board of Health Code.

We anticipate that pet grooming businesses in Seattle, which are not currently permitted, will be required to obtain permits, and that annual permit fees for most pet shops, kennels, pet daycares and animal shelters will increase.

Stakeholder updates:

• NEW! Frequently Asked Questions about Pet Businesses to be Permitted in King County
• Overview of Proposed Regulations and Fees – Slide Presentation
• Update! Information for pet services businesses (updated 11/09/09)

Regulations:

• DRAFT Board of Health Regulations for Pet Shops and Specialty Pet Food Retail Businesses (updated 11/10/09)
• DRAFT Board of Health Regulations for Commercial Kennels, Pet Daycares, Animal Shelters, and Pet Grooming Services (updated 11/10/09)
• DRAFT Board of Health Rule and Regulation: Relating to fees and charges for pet shops, commercial kennels, pet daycare facilities, animal shelters, pet grooming services and specialty pet food retail businesses (updated 11/10/09)
• King County Title 11: Regulations for Commercial Kennels, Pet Shops, Animal Shelters and Groomers
• City of Seattle Rules and Regulations for Commercial Kennels and Pet Shops

• Meet with stakeholders for input. (Early-August 2009)
• Review stakeholder comments. (Mid-August to Mid-November, 2009)
• Prepare revised draft of regulations. (September 2009)
• Prepare final draft of regulations. (November 2009)
• Board of Health briefing of the proposed regulations. (December 10, 2009)
• Board of Health adoption hearing for the regulations. (January 21, 2010)

If the new regulations are adopted in January:

• Regulations go into effect. (March 1, 2010)
• Permit applications will be mailed to all regulated businesses.(February 2010)
• Permit applications and fees are due to Public Health by March 1, 2010.