Section 250-RICR-40-05-4.9 - Applications for Licenses or Certificates of Registration to Operate an Animal Care FacilityA. 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.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-4.9
Amended effective 1/30/2020
Amended effective 4/24/2023