LA Places Temporary Moratorium On Dog Breeding Permits, Citing Badly Crowded Animal Shelters

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved a temporary moratorium on new dog breeding permits, with the goal of alleviating overcrowding at the city’s animal shelters.

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who sponsored the measure, said there are simply too many animals in city shelters — and too few being adopted.

“It is unacceptable for the city to continue issuing breeding permits while thousands of animals are suffering from overcrowded conditions in our shelters,” Hernandez said during Tuesday’s council meeting.

Council members approved the ordinance 13-0, with members Katy Yaroslavsky and Monica Rodriguez absent.

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According to L.A. Animal Services, dog occupancy at the city’s six shelters is at 209% — the shelters have space for 737 dogs, but are currently housing 1,543. The overcrowding has meant doubling and tripling of dogs in single kennels and the placement of dogs in temporary hallway crates for up to months at a time, according to the ordinance.

The moratorium would last until dog kennel capacity at the shelters is at or below 75% for three consecutive months; and it could be automatically reinstated if capacity goes up again.

Hernandez said there are many factors contributing to overcrowded animal shelters, among them a lack of pet-friendly rental units and an increase in pets dropped off at shelters due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, “last year the Department of Animal Services had issued more than 1,100 breeding permits in just the first six months of the year,” Hernandez said, noting that among the animals being dropped off at city shelters are “an influx of purebred dogs.”

The American Kennel Club, which represents dog breeders, has opposed the moratorium and urged members on its website to contact the city council. AKC legislative analyst Bob Rilling-Smith said the measure would punish dog breeders who follow the rules while encouraging unlicensed “backyard” breeders, who can potentially produce animals with health problems that also wind up in shelters.

“People who either don't know that there are breeding permits, or don't care that there are, already are not following the law,” Rilling-Smith said. “This ban, which is really what it is now, will have a great impact on responsible dog breeding in the city of Los Angeles.”

City council members said part of the goal is for people to adopt their pets from the crowded shelters instead of going to breeders.

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who supports the temporary moratorium, added that it’s also a cost-saving measure.

“It costs money to house these animals, and it costs us even more to put them down,” he said.

The new ordinance will be posted for 30 days before taking effect.