Animals; prohibit transfer of certain domestic animals at certain locations

New limits on outdoor pet transfers

Georgia law bans commercial transfers, offers, and ads for dogs, cats, and domestic rabbits at listed outdoor locations. Covered transactions include sales, paid adoptions, rehoming, leases, and trades involving money, services, property, or anything else of value. Banned locations include roadsides, public rights of way, parkways, medians, public or commercial parking lots and sidewalks, parks, and recreation areas. Fairs, temporary or seasonal flea markets, and similar outdoor markets are also covered, even with permission from the location's owner. Exceptions cover shelter-license holders who can show a valid state license when asked. Transfers at homes or inside veterinary offices or other businesses are also exempt. Paid entrants are exempt at events sanctioned by national breed clubs or associations, 4-H programs, or similar agricultural exhibitions. Prearranged transfers to a specific buyer are exempt at police, sheriff, or similar law-enforcement facilities during daylight, unless otherwise prohibited. Government animal-control officers and peace officers can enforce the ban and impound animals. Maximum fines are $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third or later offense. The law also preserves misdemeanor penalties for most other animal-protection violations, with each violation treated as a separate offense. Under those general rules, corporations face up to $1,000 per violation, 200–500 hours of community service, or both.