A. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry may contract with a local veterinarian licensed by the state, other state agency or any other qualified person to conduct or assist in an initial prelicense inspection and annual inspections.

B. The Department shall arrange for an inspection at a facility prior to issuance of an initial animal shelter or commercial pet breeder license for that facility.

1. The Department shall not issue an animal shelter or commercial pet breeder license to any person until the Department receives an initial prelicense inspection report from the inspector in a format approved by the Department certifying that the facility meets the requirements of the Commercial Pet Breeders and Animal Shelter Licensing Act.

2. Prior to the initial prelicense inspection, each applicant shall pay to the Department a nonrefundable inspection fee.

C. The Department, at least annually, shall arrange for the inspection of each facility of a licensed animal shelter operator or commercial breeder. The inspection shall be conducted during normal business hours and the animal shelter operator, commercial breeder or a representative of the facility shall be present during the inspection.

D. The inspector shall submit an inspection report to the Department not later than ten (10) days after the date of the inspection on a form prescribed by the Department and provide a copy of the report to the animal shelter operator, commercial breeder or the representative.

E. On receipt of a valid written complaint alleging a violation of the Commercial Pet Breeders and Animal Shelter Licensing Act, an authorized agent of the State Board of Agriculture, a local animal control authority, or an inspector designated by the Department may investigate the alleged violation.

F. The Department shall not hire any humane society group or member of any humane society group to perform any inspection required by the Commercial Pet Breeders and Animal Shelter Licensing Act.

Added by Laws 2012, c. 302, § 5, eff. July 1, 2012. Amended by Laws 2013, c. 289, § 5.