12th Jurisdiction in Georgia Adopts Ordinance Prohibiting the Public Sale of Companion Animals.

Doraville became the 12th jurisdiction in Georgia to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the sale, display, or barter of dogs, cats, and domestic rabbits in public places such as parking lots, sidewalks, roadsides, and flea markets.

Once a local government adopts an ordinance prohibiting the same illegal conduct as in the new state law, O.C.G.A. § 4-11-10.1, both P.O.S.T.* certified law enforcement officers and non-P.O.S.T. certified animal control and code enforcement officers are authorized to cite violations under local code. (*Peace Officers Standards & Training) Without a local ordinance, only P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement (e.g., police, sheriff) can cite violations of O.C.G.A. § 4-11-10.1.

A special thanks to Doraville Council Member Warren Simmons for spearheading the ordinance in collaboration with the GA Pet Coalition and to the Doraville City Council for their leadership and support!

FAQs for O.C.G.A. § 4-11-10.1 and a sample local ordinance to expand enforcement options are available on the GA Pet Coalition website: https://www.gapetcoalition.org/ga-law-ban-on-pet-sales-in... 

Please contact the GA Pet Coalition if you would like assistance with passing an ordinance: gapetcoalition@gmail.com

County Ordinances Passed to Date:

DeKalb (2024)

Fulton (2023)

Hall (2023)

Athens-Clarke (2022)

Forsyth (2022)

City Ordinances Passed to Date:

Doraville (2025)

Brookhaven (2025)

Dunwoody (2024)

Johns Creek (2024)

Roswell (2024)

Gainesville (2023)

Royston (2023)