“Animal” means all nonhuman members of the animal kingdom including domestic, exotic and livestock species.

“Animal Control Officer” means the Police Chief or his designee.

“Assistance dog” means a specifically trained canine assigned to a disabled person for the specific purpose of assisting the disabled person. Assistance dogs include, but are not limited to, guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs, canine companions and pet-assisted therapy dogs.

“At large” means for an animal to be off the premises of its owner and not under restraint by a leash.

“Breeder” means any person, business, or organization, which is recognized as a “breeder” under the laws of the State of California.

“Commercial kennel” means any lot or premises on which five or more dogs and/or six or more cats over four months of age are kept by the owner or occupant for commercial purposes including, but not limited to, boarding, breeding, buying, selling, renting, exhibiting or training. A commercial kennel shall not include a veterinary facility, pet shop, SPCA or the County animal shelter.

“Domestic animal” means any animal customarily kept by humans for companionship, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, goats, hamsters, mice, turtles and the like.

“Exotic animal” means any species of animal not normally considered domestic or livestock. For purposes of this definition, “exotic animal” shall be defined as those animals falling under California Fish and Game Code Section 2116 as “wild animals.” This includes, but is not limited to, the species listed in Fish and Game Code Section 2118.

“Health Officer” means the Public Health Officer of Sonoma County or his/her designee.

“Hobby kennel” means any place or premises on which three or more, but not more than eight, dogs or cats over four months of age are owned and kept by the owner or occupant for personal, noncommercial purposes, including, but not limited to, hunting, tracking, exhibiting at shows, exhibitions, field trials or other competitions, or enhancing or perpetuating a given breed, other than dogs used in conjunction with an agricultural operation on the lot or premises. No hobby kennel operator shall sell, display, offer for sale, barter or give away more than four litters of puppies and/or four litters of kittens in any calendar year, nor shall a hobby kennel be located on any lot or premises of less than one acre in size.

“License” means a permit obtained from a governmental or quasi-governmental agency which allows a person, business or organization to do described acts or maintain described premises.

“Livestock” means any animal customarily kept by humans for the purpose of providing food, clothing or work, including, but not limited to, equine, bovine, ovine, porcine, and fowl, but excluding bees.

“Owner” or “owner/guardian” means any person who keeps or has charge of or provides custody or care to an animal for at least 30 days on premises leased or owned by such person. This definition shall exclude veterinarians who are treating or caring for an animal in the regular practice of veterinary medicine as well as the owners or operators of an animal grooming business, kennel or pet shop while engaged in the regular practice of such business. Use of the term “owner/guardian” in place of “owner” shall not imply or bestow any change in legal status or ownership of animals by the use of such term.

“Pet shop” means any premises devoted to the commercial trade of selling animals as pets. Pet shop shall not include any place or premises where pet animals are occasionally sold.

“Service dog” means any dog under the control of a peace officer in the performance of, or training for, public service.

“Shelter Director” or “Director” means the Director of the City’s contract provider of animal regulation services and/or the City shelter or her/his designee. Any reference to “Poundmaster” in City contracts, legislation, or elsewhere shall be taken to refer to the Shelter Director and any reference to “pound” or “City pound” shall be taken to refer to the City shelter.

“Welfare organization” means any nonprofit public benefit corporation which is organized for the purpose of improving the lives or welfare of animals.