General Information
A person or business with a pet dealer license from the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) must comply with the relevant regulations of the Georgia Animal Protection Act. All laws and rules, as well as relevant forms, can be found on our main Pets page.
Documents requiring a signature must be signed. All required documents must be available for inspection at the address listed on the pet dealer license.
Incoming Pet Transactions
The following incoming pet transactions must be recorded:
{A} Purchase; {B} Live birth; {C} Custodial care; A custodial care provider that receives a fee or compensation must have a GDA kennel license; {D} Transfer; {E} Owner surrender; {F} Veterinary care return;{G} Customer return – live pet; {H} Consignment.
Required Information
Incoming records must contain the following information:
{A} Date of transaction; {B} Name, physical address, city, state, zip, and phone number of the establishment or person where the pet was acquired; {C} Pet type and quantity; {D} GDA license number if applicable.
All interstate shipment requirements must be met. If a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) is required, it must be available for GDA inspection.
Impounding or Harboring
To impound or harbor seized, stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted dogs, cats, and other animals a facility must be operated by or under contract for the state, county, municipal corp., or any other political subdivision of the state and requires a GDA animal shelter license. See Agriculture Rule 40-13-13-.01 (Animal Protection) "Animal Shelter" definition.