Sarasota County staff will present details about a recently adopted county ordinance that addresses the commercial sale of pets during two public workshops next week. In January, the county amended the animal control section of its code to address dogs and cats that may have been bred and housed at substandard facilities known as "puppy mills" or "kitten factories," which mass-produce animals for sale to the public. The code is intended to prohibit the sale of such dogs and cats, which have a higher rate of health, social and temperament problems. The regulations affect commercial establishments, such as pet stores, but include exemptions for hobby breeders, animal shelters and animal welfare organizations. According to the new ordinance, hobby breeders may continue to sell dogs and cats from their homes but would not be permitted to sell them at pet shops, veterinarian offices, kennels or other commercial establishments. The county's workshops take place at 6 p.m. Monday, May 16, at the Sarasota County Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, and at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.