Los Angeles City Council Considers Moratorium on Breeding Permits to Address Animal Shelter Overcrowding

Los Angeles City Council Committee Considers Moratorium on Breeding Permits to Address Animal Shelter Overcrowding

As Los Angeles grapples with a growing number of unwanted animals flooding its shelters, a city council committee is set to take action on a potential moratorium on breeding permits in an effort to alleviate the strain. The committee could make a decision on the moratorium as soon as next week, officials announced on Tuesday.

The proposed ordinance, which would impose a temporary halt on new breeding permits, was initially requested by the council in October. The moratorium would only be lifted once shelters reach or fall below 75% capacity for three consecutive months, with the provision to automatically reinstate the moratorium if capacity exceeds 75%.

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, chair of the Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee, revealed that the committee is scheduled to review the draft law on April 3. The City Attorney’s Office submitted the draft for consideration last week, and it will need approval from both the committee and the full City Council before it can be implemented.

Los Angeles Department of Animal Services General Manager Staycee Dains emphasized the importance of the moratorium, stating that it serves as a clear signal to the community that shelters are overwhelmed and unable to accommodate more animals. The city has witnessed a steady increase in the number of dogs, cats, and rabbits in its six shelters over the past few years, prompting calls for a halt to breeding and enhanced spay-and-neuter efforts.

At a recent LAAS Commission meeting, Dains disclosed that approximately 1,200 breeding permits had been issued in 2023, with an estimated total of 1,800 permits by year-end. She criticized pro-breeding organizations, asserting that they contribute to the overpopulation problem by creating animals that end up in shelters.

In addition to the potential moratorium, the LAAS board also threw its support behind Assembly Bill 2133, which would authorize registered veterinary technicians to perform male cat neuter surgeries under a veterinarian’s supervision. Dains announced that emergency funding for 120 additional LAAS staff members is in the works, pending council approval.

With the city’s shelters facing a crisis of overcrowding, the proposed moratorium on breeding permits could be a crucial step in addressing the ongoing animal welfare challenges in Los Angeles.