Last Member Drive of 2025!

Your year-end tax-deductible gift powers our local newsroom. Help raise $1 million in essential funding for LAist by December 31.
$683,005 of $1,000,000 goal
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
Civics & Democracy

LA considers boosting dog household limit to combat shelter overcrowding

Two tiny tan Chihuahuas are peaking over a cement step from the inside of a dog kennel at an animal shelter. The dog on the left is wearing a red collar.
Chihuahuas await adoption at a Los Angeles Department of Animal Services shelter.
(
David McNew
/
Getty Images
)

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

Topline:

Pet owners in the city of Los Angeles could soon be able to add a fourth dog after the L.A. Board of Animal Services Commissioners approved a proposal to increase the household limit on Tuesday.

Why it matters: Staycee Dains, the general manager of L.A. Animal Services, said during Tuesday’s meeting that this legislative change could encourage people to adopt and foster more animals — “which we sorely need in the city.”

The six shelters have 1,541 dogs in its care as of Tuesday morning, which is more than double the capacity, according to the department’s “Dog Occupancy Meter.”

Why now: The board agreed to move forward with the idea in a 3 to 0 vote, with Commissioner James Jensvold absent.

The backstory: L.A. County increased its dog limit from three to four in 2017, and Dains said it’s important to have continuity between the neighboring jurisdictions.

What's next: The proposal will now head to the L.A. City Council and Mayor Karen Bass’ office.

Sponsored message

Go deeper: Learn more about shelter overcrowding and how to help.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right