So you’re ready to be your own boss, and you would like to open a pet store. But where do you begin? There are a few things you need to do before you can start your business.
To operate a pet shop in Massachusetts, you must have a license issued by the Department of Food and Agriculture. To obtain this, you must submit an application along with the required fee. Once the department receives the application, it will inspect the facility to ensure compliance with the appropriate laws. If the license is approved, it must be displayed in a place visible to the public and renewed each year. (It expires annually on December 31st)
You must do several things in order to receive a license:
- Your facility must be in good repair and in a sanitary condition
- Equipment must be used and maintained in a manner that ensures proper storage or disposal of wastes or disease-contaminated material
- There must be control measures to prevent infestation
- There must be artificial illumination in each room where animals are kept (which should be well distributed to efficiently inspect and clean the facility)
- The facility must provide quarantine or isolation rooms for sick animals and for isolation of newly acquired dogs and cats
- The area where the animals are actually housed must also meet certain requirements
This is only the beginning. If you have employees, you must follow additional rules and meet more requirements. It is advisable to consult with an experienced employment law attorney.
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