Pet Regulations - Curious

After seeing so many signatures with 4-5+ cats on them, I'm curious as to what animal ownership laws are? I guess this is a predominantly American site? Does it change depending on where you live?

In Australia, or at least my state, you're allowed to keep two cats and/or dogs in a house, and one cat and/or dog in a multiple dwelling i.e. unit/flat/apartment.
If you want any more you need to apply for council approval, which costs $122 regardless of whether or not your application is approved.

It is illegal to keep rabbits here and in may parts of Australia.
Snakes & Reptiles require special licences as well, but I'm not really up on the laws around that.

It is illegal to keep exotic animals of any kind as a pet - I have looked that one up. Pretty much anything you can think of is illegal.
Most native animals can't be kept unless you are a registered/qualified animal welfare officer/carer AND have permits.

I'm want to hear about keeping animals where you live.

It depends on the city where you live... Here in mine, 3 is the limit for dogs and cats combined... No clue what is going to happen when they find out I am over 1. My landlord is ok with it, and that is what matters to me

Theres no limit to anything fur or reptile related in the UK, chickens are often kept in peoples gardens here especially with the current climate and people trying to save money and i do believe different areas require permission from the council for that. But i doubt its enforced so people would keep them anyway unless neighbours complained.

Would keeping rabbits entice alligators or crocs is that why they ban them in Australia?

Our city has a 3-animal limit for a lot our size, but they don't go out looking for them; it's just there for enforcement purposes, if there's a problem.

I have an acquaintance in Australia who has been trying to finish his hot rod and get it licensed for about 7 years. Still can't leave his driveway. Sounds like you guys might should take a look at Egypt.

So what will happen if your cat has kittens, and you can't find anyone to give the kittens to?

In the U.S. it's very much a local issue. There may be cities or counties with ordinances that limit the number of pets, but I've never been aware of it any place I've lived. If you're renting, landlords can put a limit (or no pet policy) in their contracts.

When I bought my house I was given a copy of the original conditions of purchase from some time in the early 1900's. I'm not allowed to have goats or hogs on the property and I'm not allowed to raise chickens or rabbits for commercial purposes. It doesn't say anything about cats or dogs. I take that to mean I can have as many cats in the house as I want.

I live in a small rural midwest town (US). No laws for anything besides rabies vacs and livestock. Otherwise one has to mind noise ordinance. So far there's no outright bans on exotics, but people need a license for certain animals (iirc, it cost $48).
Some towns have certain ordinances on dog breeds (BSL), some won't allow wolf hybrids in city limits, others don't want large snakes near schools.

I have 9 cats and several other pets. My neighbors have had up to 7 dogs in their backyard. Others all over town keep multiple small dogs, too.

I could have sworn that over there that it was very limited as to what non-native reptiles are allowed, if any. That only native but captive bred species were allowed - like bearded dragons, for example.


tillymoo - rabbits are a very invasive non native species over there that has caused damage to the native fauna and flora. That's actually the reason behind most of their bans and restrictions.

Originally Posted by tillymoo

Would keeping rabbits entice alligators or crocs is that why they ban them in Australia?

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Hahaha. No... It's more to do with rabbit 'epidemics' that destroyed farmland previously.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

Our city has a 3-animal limit for a lot our size, but they don't go out looking for them; it's just there for enforcement purposes, if there's a problem.

I have an acquaintance in Australia who has been trying to finish his hot rod and get it licensed for about 7 years. Still can't leave his driveway. Sounds like you guys might should take a look at Egypt.

So what will happen if your cat has kittens, and you can't find anyone to give the kittens to?

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They're getting desexed next Wednesday...so hopefully that solves that one.
Vehicle laws are downright batty... some states worse than others. Sometimes the police pick you up for the silliest things, like a factory-identical after market muffler, even if it was fitted because the original one rusted off. They tend to be pretty fussy with all sorts of things, but I guess it can't be as bad as Egypt and other places in the world, so in that respect, we're lucky. The legalities around exotics I think is to try to eliminate 'the financial support of poachers and animal trafficking', which I think is fair.

I live in the country w/ 18 cats - there are no limits here.

I know in one town there is a 3 cat & 3 dog maximum - I know someone w/ 3 dogs & 8 cats. They've had that many cats for 6 years now w/o any issue. The law exists but isn't regularly enforced unless there is an issue (ie - barking, lack of sanitary care, lack of vet care, etc).

Originally Posted by strange_wings

I could have sworn that over there that it was very limited as to what non-native reptiles are allowed, if any. That only native but captive bred species were allowed - like bearded dragons, for example.

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Yes that's correct. I'm pretty sure you can really only get domesticated breeds of native snakes & lizards. A few different kinds of pythons, bearded dragons and blue tongue lizards. You can keep native scorpions as well, but I don't know if you need a permit for that too. Australia is pretty strict with quarantine laws and the like.

Originally Posted by DemstarAus

It is illegal to keep rabbits here and in may parts of Australia.

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Really? even indoors? I had a bunny Patches a long time ago. He lived inside. When I was really little like first grade, I had a friend who had tons of bunnies. They were all over the house and some outside. I don't remember how many, I didn't even try to count. I just loved patting them and holding them.

Originally Posted by DemstarAus

They're getting desexed next Wednesday...so hopefully that solves that one.

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I think mrblanche was talking in generalities here, not your specific cats. What if someone's cat gets pregnant, has kittens, and they can't rehome them all?

Originally Posted by GoldyCat

When I bought my house I was given a copy of the original conditions of purchase from some time in the early 1900's. I'm not allowed to have goats or hogs on the property

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But isn't that the reason you bought the house in the first place?

Originally Posted by rad65

I think mrblanche was talking in generalities here, not your specific cats. What if someone's cat gets pregnant, has kittens, and they can't rehome them all?

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Ah ok. All I can find is that you don't need to register cats until they're 12 weeks old, so if you're lucky and manage to get them all adopted before then, you'd be ok. I reckon that's cutting it pretty fine, and you wouldn't want to be in a rush to get rid of them.

I'd imagine you'd have to keep them under wraps or surrender them to a refuge if you had no other choice.

There is also the option of applying to the council to keep more than 2 cats on your property, as long as you can pay the $122 for each kitten.

I know our local refuge has contacts with a lot of local foster homes for pets when they can't take any more at their location, but that's really a matter of whether or not someone is available to take care of them OW Cooper is on my lap and just nipped me I DEMAND PATS! HAYA!

Surrendering them to refuges usually incurs a fee so they can afford to look after them, generally less than a council application.
Then the last option I'd consider is the pound, but they have a time limit before they put them to sleep

How would they know how many cats you had in your house, unless someone complained? How is the law enforced? Do they do home checks? I'm sure plenty of people do have more than 2 cats. What would be done if they found out?

In my town, there's a 5-dog limit, which I think is perfectly reasonable. I don't think there's a limit on cats, but I haven't tried too hard to learn about any limits. If there is a limit, I'm over it . I don't intend on anybody in authority ever finding out.

Our city allows 2 dogs and doesn't regulate cat ownership. We have 3 dogs and a foster so we had to get a kennel license. I've looked into many city ordinances since our Dane rescue has many applicants with 2+ dogs. Most cities that have limit laws only allow 2-3 dogs and probably half of them around here include cats.

Originally Posted by Willowy

How would they know how many cats you had in your house, unless someone complained? How is the law enforced? Do they do home checks? I'm sure plenty of people do have more than 2 cats. What would be done if they found out?

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Hey I just found a copy of the 'Animal Care & Protection Act 2001 - Reprinted as in force on 1 December 2009' for my state...

If anyone wants to rake through it or you're curious: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LE...malCaPrA01.pdf

There are lots of interesting things in there, including penalty rates for offences. Whilst looking for breaching registration limits I found the section on cat de-clawing: unqualified persons are not permitted, nor is a vet allowed to unless they reasonably consider removal in the best interest of the animal's welfare. The max fine in both scenarios is 300 penalty units (currently one penalty unit in Queensland is $100) so $30,000 or one year in prison.

Anyway...

I'm having a hard time finding something that directly relates to penalties for breaching council registration regulations (say that ten times fast). I haven't got to any part that says whether or not you can appeal if an inspector comes to your home, or if the animals are confiscated immediately or what fines are involved. Perhaps it's not really the place to be looking for that. I have emailed my council to see what they have to say. I find that document a little hard to read so I've probably missed some things.

I'm still not sure on that one... sorry

The general rule is 7 per household and no more than 3 of one kind(max 3 animals in multi family dwellings).... I asked my city officials, the PD ( who is animal control) and the sheriffs about appling for a kennel lisense ... The reply was laughter and not to walk more than three at a time( that was when I was debateing 4 dogs)... With the cats MUCH more laughter as cats are not regulated at all by AC here( they are considered nearly wild animals only dogs and livestock are dealt with)... They said the rules are for mainly breeding issues and noise .... Now ,I live in town but my zoning is still rural thus I could have one chicken and /or one pig under 150lbs ( he he that limits it )or, one miniature horse and/or one goat .. Basically one chicken and one other livestock animal... Many have chicken coops or rabbit hutches with many more ...

There are no WILD animals within city limits permit or not( this unfortunately does cover wolf hybrids)... In the county you can have a tiger as a pet with nothing more than a license which is a form like a state Id

Where I am now there's no laws I know of anywhere in the county. Last county I was in many cities had a limit of 6. Some enforce it others have it on books and animal control knew I had 7/8(6 house 1 mine 1 stray i fed as he came) and he just told me city limits 6 you have 6 correct? YES! Never and issue he was great...truly for the animals and helped anyone he could. Also told me to license them next year as "new cats" moved soon after town over.

The cities with limits had a age-mostly 4 months(4 months being when they can get first rabies anyway I would think would be that age choice) where they didn't count it as a cat. Which meant a person I knew was always legal yet could have many times the limit-upwards of 6 females always nursing/about to pop, that really got me the wrong way cause A) never once gave her an issue and the kittens would be playing on the road/dog roaming in bad shape B) Not one ever license.

IMO it comes down to trying to prevent the flow of kittens but really what good is the law if not enforced. One of the 6 cat towns had a hoarder bust of 100 cats or so, many had similar markings so you could gather they never left the house.

Neighbors said later to paper that they smelled cats but never thought it was that bad. pics were unreal

OH something I looked into a long long time ago was a usda lic that would overrule the city. was pricey and alot of hassle not sure if it still applies but may be away around if anyone ever needs it:S!!! Spot checks paperwork but according to one ac officer it would have worked, nothing like drawing attention huh