As used in this article:

1. 1. "Animal" means a dog or a cat.

2. 2. "Consumer" means any individual purchasing an animal from a pet dealer. A pet dealer shall not be considered a consumer. * 3. For purposes of section seven hundred fifty-three of this article, a "pet dealer" shall mean any person who, in the ordinary course of business, engages in the sale or offering for sale of more than nine animals per year for profit to the public. Such definition shall include breeders of animals who sell or offer for sale animals directly to a consumer but it shall not include duly incorporated humane societies dedicated to the care of unwanted animals which make such animals available for adoption whether or not a fee for such adoption is charged. For purposes of sections seven hundred fifty-three-a, seven hundred fifty-three-b, seven hundred fifty-three-c, seven hundred fifty-three-d and seven hundred fifty-three-e of this article, "pet dealer" shall mean any person who engages in the sale or offering for sale of more than nine animals per year for profit to the public. Such definition shall include breeders who sell animals; provided that a breeder who sells or offers to sell directly to the consumer fewer than twenty-five animals per year that are born and raised on the breeders residential premises shall not be considered a pet dealer as a result of selling or offering to sell such animals. Such definition shall not include duly incorporated humane societies dedicated to the care of unwanted animals which make such animals available for adoption whether or not a fee for such adoption is charged. * NB Effective until November 12, 2017 * 3. For purposes of section seven hundred fifty-three of this article, a "pet dealer" shall mean any person who, in the ordinary course of business, engages in the sale or offering for sale of more than nine animals per year for profit to the public. Such definition shall include breeders of animals who sell or offer for sale animals directly to a consumer but it shall not include any municipal pound or shelter established and maintained pursuant to subdivision one of section one hundred fourteen of the agriculture and markets law, or any duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, duly incorporated humane society, duly incorporated animal protective association or other duly incorporated animal adoption or animal rescue organization that is tax exempt pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of section 501 of the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 501, or any subsequent corresponding sections of the federal Internal Revenue Code, as from time to time amended, that is registered with the department pursuant to section four hundred eight of the agriculture and markets law. For purposes of sections seven hundred fifty-three-a, seven hundred fifty-three-b, seven hundred fifty-three-c and seven hundred fifty-three-d of this article, "pet dealer" shall mean any person who engages in the sale or offering for sale of more than nine animals per year for profit to the public. Such definition shall include breeders who sell animals; but it shall not include the following:

   1. (a) Any breeder who sells or offers to sell directly to the consumer fewer than twenty-five animals per year that are born and raised on the breeders residential premises.
   2. (b) Any municipal pound or shelter established and maintained pursuant to subdivision one of section one hundred fourteen of the agriculture and markets law.
   3. (c) Any duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, duly incorporated humane society, duly incorporated animal protective association or other duly incorporated animal adoption or animal rescue organization that is exempt from taxes pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of section 501 of the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 501, or any subsequent corresponding sections of the federal Internal Revenue Code, as from time to time amended, that is registered with the department pursuant to section four hundred eight of the agriculture and markets law. * NB Effective November 12, 2017
   4. 4. "Commissioner" shall mean the commissioner of agriculture and markets.
   5. 5. "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, municipality, or other legal entity.
   6. 6. "Nonelective surgical procedure" means a surgical procedure that is necessary to preserve or restore the health of an animal, to prevent an animal from experiencing pain or discomfort, or to correct a condition that would interfere with an animal's ability to walk, run, jump, or otherwise function in a normal manner.
   7. 7. "Clinically ill" means an illness that is apparent to a veterinarian based on observation, examination, or testing of an animal or upon review of the medical records relating to the animal.