Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 250 - Department of Environmental Management › Chapter 40 - Agriculture and Resource Marketing › Subchapter 05 - Animal Health › Part 4 - Rules and Regulations Governing Animal Care Facilities › Section 250-RICR-40-05-4.9 - Applications for Licenses or Certificates of Registration to Operate an Animal Care Facility

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Any municipality
				  wishing to operate a pound may apply for a certificate of registration pursuant
				  to R.I. Gen. Laws §
										4-19-3, Registration of Municipal
				  Dog Pounds. The issuance of a certificate of registration authorizes the
				  operation of a pound. Pound licenses expire annually on December 31.
				  Applications must be made by submitting the appropriate form to the Rhode
				  Island state veterinarian on form(s) provided by the office of the Rhode Island
				  state veterinarian.
B. Any
				  applicant wishing to operate an animal shelter may apply for a certificate of
				  registration pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §
										4-19-4, Registration of Animal
				  Shelters. The issuance of a certificate of registration authorizes the
				  operation of an animal shelter. Animal shelter licenses expire annually on
				  December 31. Applications must be made by submitting the appropriate form to
				  the Rhode Island state veterinarian on form(s) provided by the office of the
				  Rhode Island state veterinarian.
C.
				  An applicant wishing to operate a pet shop may apply for a license pursuant to
				  R.I. Gen. Laws §
										4-19-5, Pet Shop Licenses. The
				  issuance of a pet shop license authorizes the operation of a pet shop. Pet shop
				  licenses expire at the end of the fiscal year, June 30. Applications must be
				  made by submitting the appropriate form to the Rhode Island state veterinarian
				  on form(s) provided by the office of the Rhode Island state
				  veterinarian.
D. An applicant
				  wishing to operate as a breeder may apply for a license pursuant to R.I. Gen.
				  Laws §
										4-19-5.1, Breeder Licenses. The
				  issuance of a breeder license authorizes the operation of a facility as a
				  breeder. Breeder licenses expire at the end of the fiscal year, June 30.
				  Applications must be made by submitting the appropriate form to the Rhode
				  Island state veterinarian on form(s) provided by the office of the Rhode Island
				  state veterinarian.
E. An applicant
				  wishing to operate as a dealer may apply for a license pursuant to R.I. Gen.
				  Laws §
										4-19-7, Dealer Licenses. The
				  issuance of a dealer license authorizes the operation of a facility as a
				  dealer. Dealer licenses expire at the end of the fiscal year, June 30.
				  Applications must be made by submitting the appropriate form to the Rhode
				  Island state veterinarian on form(s) provided by the office of the Rhode Island
				  state veterinarian.
F. An applicant
				  wishing to operate a kennel may apply for a license pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws
				  §
										4-19-6, Public Auction and Kennel
				  Licenses. The issuance of a kennel license authorizes the operation of a
				  kennel. Kennel licenses expire at the end of the fiscal year, June 30.
				  Applications must be made by submitting the appropriate form to the Rhode
				  Island state veterinarian on form(s) provided by the office of the Rhode Island
				  state veterinarian.
G. Any
				  applicant wishing to operate as an animal rescue, broker, or transporter may
				  apply for a certificate of registration pursuant to §
										1.8 of this Subchapter, Rules
				  and Regulations Governing the Importation of Animals. The issuance of a
				  certificate of registration authorizes operation as an animal rescue, broker,
				  or transporter as designated. Certificates of registration expire annually on
				  December 31. Applications must be made by submitting the appropriate form to
				  the Rhode Island state veterinarian on form(s) provided by the office of the
				  Rhode Island state veterinarian.
H.
				  All applications listed in §§
										4.9(A) through
				  (G) of this Part shall be on forms provided
				  by the office of the Rhode Island state veterinarian. The applicant shall
				  identify the intended purpose of seeking the appropriate license or
				  certificate, the proposed operational plan for the facility if approved, copies
				  of any applicable state and federal licenses, any municipal approvals that may
				  have been granted for the operation of the proposed facility, and the location
				  and dates upon which the proposed facility is available for inspection by the
				  Rhode Island state veterinary and/or his/her staff.
I. All licensed or registered entities are
				  prohibited from operating other than in strict compliance with the conditions
				  as set forth in its operational plan. Any proposed changes to the operations of
				  these entities must be approved by the office of the Rhode Island state
				  veterinarian in writing before operations can be changed. All proposed changes
				  must be submitted in writing to the office of the Rhode Island state
				  veterinarian.
J. The license or
				  certificate of registration is only valid for the owner to whom it is issued.
				  The transfer of ownership of the subject facility voids said facility's license
				  or certificate of registration unless prior written approval for the transfer
				  of said license or certificate is obtained through the submittal of an
				  application the Rhode Island state veterinarian is approved.
K. The license or certificate of registration
				  is only valid for the location as stated on the license. The change of location
				  of the subject facility immediately voids said facility's license or
				  certificate of registration.
L. It
				  shall be unlawful for any person to operate any animal care facility licensed
				  or registered pursuant to this Part on an expired license or on an expired
				  license application unless the Department receives a renewal application no
				  greater than ninety (90) days after the expiration of the license or
				  certificate of registration. All such renewal applications must be postmarked,
				  emailed, faxed, or hand delivered no greater than ninety (90) days after the
				  expiration date listed on the most recent license or certificate of
				  registration. Any application received after the ninety (90) day grace period
				  for renewal will require the applicant to submit an application for a new
				  license or certificate of registration, not a renewal of the previous license
				  or certificate of registration.