Los Angeles City Council Considers Temporary Moratorium on Dog Breeding Permits

The Los Angeles City Council is set to tackle the issue of overpopulation at the city’s animal shelters by considering a temporary moratorium on dog breeding permits. The proposal, which would need to be approved through an ordinance, aims to address the overcrowding crisis that has been plaguing the six city-run shelters.

Last week, the Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee passed the ordinance in a 2-0 vote on consent, with Councilman John Lee absent during the decision. The moratorium would only be lifted once shelter capacity drops to 75% or below for three consecutive months, and could be reinstated if capacity rises above that threshold.

City officials have highlighted the dire situation at the shelters, where dogs, cats, and rabbits have been exceeding capacity for years. The push for a breeding halt and increased spay-and-neuter efforts has been championed by commissioners and animal advocates alike, as a crucial step in addressing the issue.

According to city documents, the current dog population in the shelters has been overwhelming staff and resources, with dogs being placed in temporary hallway crates due to lack of space. Staycee Dains, the general manager of the city’s Department of Animal Services, emphasized the need for the moratorium to signal to the community that the shelters cannot take in any more animals.

In 2023, the city issued around 1,200 breeding permits, with projections to reach 1,800 by the end of the year. The temporary halt on breeding permits is seen as a necessary step in alleviating the strain on the shelters and addressing the ongoing overpopulation crisis.