City Ordinance on number of pets?

Just a couple questions to get some talk going about this.
Are you aware of any law in your town/city/county that tells you how many pets you can have?
Is it broken down by the type of animal or all animals combined?
If you know what your number is, are you within those guidelines? If you arent, why not?
Do you feel comfortable enough that you wont get caught?
What would you do if you did get caught?
You would probably have to choose which ones would have to go, right?
If you are under or at the limit at this time, would you ever be tempted to go over? Why or why not?

I just need to know where people stand on this
If I wanted to fight the guideline would I stand much chance? Are exceptions ever made? If so, for what types of reasons?

Thanks for any answers!

I my city, I am only allowed 5 pets (maybe 4, have to double check). I have 17 pets. Am I worried? No, why? Because they are not going to take them away unless a) I don't care for them. or b) people/neighbors complain. I doubt that will happen as I take great care of my pets, and I can see no reason for anyone to complain. If I got 'caught' I'm sure I could fight it and win, worse comes to worse, I would move.

We have a 5 cat/dog limit in our town, and we have 3 cats, 3 dogs, 1 cockatiel, and 1 rabbit. The animal shelter, who also does pet licensing/animal control, adopted out Nellie (our 6th cat/dog) to us fulling knowing this, but they also know that we take great care of our pets. If we wanted to, we could easily get another pet from them because they trust us. I'm not worried about having to give up any of my pets and would go to court before doing so, but that's not much of a concern for us anyways.

It's 5 animals combined here. My aunt has 2 dogs, 5 cats and (at last count) 6 hamsters. She shrugs her shoulders at the law. She got all the cats and dogs from the animal shelter and they know shes over limit but her reasoning is, shes saved at least 7 animals from being put to sleep.

Here we can have 3 dogs, 3 pigs (why would I want 3 pigs in my house as well?) and up to 7 cats. We have 2 dogs and 9 cats, I am not worried though.

4 adult dogs + 4 adult cats + 4 adult rabbits. >4 months = adult. Dogs, cats & ferrets have to be vaccinated against rabies.

I am not afraid, I AM the law!

WOuld you have to choose? Nope. I do it for you. When we encounter a major violation, it results in ALL animals going for a ride to the shelter.

Tempted to go over the limit, the only break is if they are all licensed and have been since 1999 when the code was changed. If its clean, you may be given a while to "get legal". If its a mess, we take you too!

Originally posted by Mark Kumpf
4 adult dogs + 4 adult cats + 4 adult rabbits. >4 months = adult. Dogs, cats & ferrets have to be vaccinated against rabies.

I am not afraid, I AM the law!

WOuld you have to choose? Nope. I do it for you. When we encounter a major violation, it results in ALL animals going for a ride to the shelter.

Tempted to go over the limit, the only break is if they are all licensed and have been since 1999 when the code was changed. If its clean, you may be given a while to "get legal". If its a mess, we take you too!

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One more example of the "Almighty Gummint" run completely out of control.

The only legitimite business any government has with the pets a person has is if they are a nusiance, a health hazard or are being mistreated. The only possible line of reasoning under which a city limits the number of pets a person can keep is so logically faulty that it can't even be argued with.

Originally posted by Catfur
One more example of the "Almighty Gummint" run completely out of control.

The only legitimite business any government has with the pets a person has is if they are a nusiance, a health hazard or are being mistreated. The only possible line of reasoning under which a city limits the number of pets a person can keep is so logically faulty that it can't even be argued with.

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I totally agree with you. The shelters have so many animals of peoplethat dump them, what does the law do to them??? Nothing unless caught and then its not much. Whats the point of taking a families beloved pets away just because they are over some stupid limit.

We don't have any laws here on the number of animals a person can have.

I have 11 cats in here(plus my 3 orphaned kittens)and I don't see what it is anyone's business how many cats I have in MY home,as long as they are well taken care of and my house is not reeking of cat waste.

Pet Ownership - It is unlawful to own more than five dogs or three cats (10 cats if confined within a structure) on a residential lot smaller than 10,000 square feet

We are within the limit- 5 cats (3 indoor-only, 1 indoor-outdoor, 1 outdoor-only former feral), and 3 dogs. 1 of our dogs was a stray, and we're trying to find a home for her, at which time we'll be back down to 2. I am NOT tempted to go over the limit - we can either take good care of a few, or poor care of many, and I opt for the former. When we can, we take in & rehome one stray at a time. Other than that, I have to just turn the other way - the no-kill shelters are always full, and we simply don't have $ or space to take in every stray that comes along.

It seems a losing battle when you're surrounded by people who think it's wrong to spay or neuter a pet, but that it's OK to dump animals, or turn in endless litters of kittens and puppies to the pound for euthanization. I think whenever someone does that, they should be forced to spend a day watching euthanizations.

Off the soapbox...

I think the only time our city actually cracks down on anyone is if there are complaints.

If you're over the limit, be extra careful: keep your house/yard spotless, your animals well-cared for, and try to stay on friendly terms with your neighbors. Make sure you have a backup plan so that your pets will be cared for if anything happens to you.

Our town limits you to two dogs, which must be licensed and kept on a leash when outside the home or enclosed yard. Certain breeds (e.g., bull terriers, Staffordshire, American Staffordshire) must also be muzzled. Poultry may not be kept as pets (?). There's no limit on any other pets, and no license fees. A lot of people seem to ignore the laws here, because they're not strictly enforced. We're well within the limit. Yes, I would be tempted to go over the limit, and may very well in the not-too-distant future if I have to take my mom's pets.

Originally posted by Mark Kumpf
4 adult dogs + 4 adult cats + 4 adult rabbits. >4 months = adult. Dogs, cats & ferrets have to be vaccinated against rabies.

I am not afraid, I AM the law!

WOuld you have to choose? Nope. I do it for you. When we encounter a major violation, it results in ALL animals going for a ride to the shelter.

Tempted to go over the limit, the only break is if they are all licensed and have been since 1999 when the code was changed. If its clean, you may be given a while to "get legal". If its a mess, we take you too!

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Mark, I found your comment regarding "would you have to choose? NOPE. I do it for you.. ALL animals goes for a ride" VERY INTERESTING AND A BIT DISTURBING. I have watched Animal Planet cop shows. Sometimes the cops would have the owners choose which pets to surrender to lower their quota IF the pets are in good condition, etc. Why CAN'T VIRGINIA DO THIS???

Can you clarify why Viriginia seems NOT WILLING to work with owners regarding this?

Mark,

I am moving to a new city/state and I have called the police in that town and inquired about pet # laws - they have told me that there are none. With 3 cats we would probably not be over thel limit if there were any, but we also have 11 birds, which no one seems to have a limit for ("they" have never heard 11 birds scream!)

The town I hope to be moving to is Bainbridge Township, Ohio. Is there anywhere else but the police that I should contact to double check? I searched for animal shelters in the area and the only thing I could find was a "Dog pound" that sounded like they truly only took care of dogs.

Thanks for your help.

I think, but I'm not certain that we are allowed 3 cats and 2 dogs here in Los Angeles, if you go over the limit, you have to get a kennel's license. I might not be 100% accurate on that, though. But I'm pretty sure about the 3 cat limit.

Originally posted by Pamela
Mark, I found your comment regarding "would you have to choose? NOPE. I do it for you.. ALL animals goes for a ride" VERY INTERESTING AND A BIT DISTURBING. I have watched Animal Planet cop shows. Sometimes the cops would have the owners choose which pets to surrender to lower their quota IF the pets are in good condition, etc. Why CAN'T VIRGINIA DO THIS???

Can you clarify why Viriginia seems NOT WILLING to work with owners regarding this?

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OK! You got me. Anyone look at the date on the post? (4/1/04...) A little bit heavy on the "Sylvester Stallone Judge Dredd" but hey, gotta have a little fun stirring it up. April Fools only comes once a year! For more civilized and compassionate answers, check out the Ask the ACO thread in Cats SOS.

Don't get me started on the "Animal Cops" but suffice it to say, we are much more interested in education and compliance vs. enforcement and confiscation. The previous poster was absolutely correct when they said we have PLENTY dumped at our door - why go look for more.

Originally posted by Talon
Mark,

I am moving to a new city/state and I have called the police in that town and inquired about pet # laws - they have told me that there are none. With 3 cats we would probably not be over thel limit if there were any, but we also have 11 birds, which no one seems to have a limit for ("they" have never heard 11 birds scream!)

The town I hope to be moving to is Bainbridge Township, Ohio. Is there anywhere else but the police that I should contact to double check? I searched for animal shelters in the area and the only thing I could find was a "Dog pound" that sounded like they truly only took care of dogs.

Thanks for your help.

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Ohio has a poor record when it comes to cats. Most localities do NOT handle them at all which is in my opinion an abrogation of their responsibility. Ohio still has "dog wardens" and hasn't quite made it out of the 60s. Good luck.

PS - I was BORN in Ohio so I have a right to comment on my home state of affairs...

First of all, I'm not sure what the limit is for my city. I also am not sure where to find out. (court house, library, police station)?

I think that as long as the pets are fed, watered, have shelter and no one complains, you can have as many as you want.

Call me an April fool.

Originally posted by Mark Kumpf
Ohio has a poor record when it comes to cats. Most localities do NOT handle them at all which is in my opinion an abrogation of their responsibility. Ohio still has "dog wardens" and hasn't quite made it out of the 60s. Good luck.

PS - I was BORN in Ohio so I have a right to comment on my home state of affairs...

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Considering that the police officer I spoke with said that state laws were still such that shooting nuscince cats is allowable. How would we get something like that changed?

The town I live in (actually a small city) has a 3 pet limit total no matter what kind it is (not sure on fish though). A breeder or rescue group needs a permit to have more than the limit.