Municipalities across the U.S. have laws in place limiting the number of dogs and cats allowed per household.
Why It Matters
Cities and towns are permitted to institute limits on the number of pets. Failure to comply could result in fines or other penalties, depending on the municipality.
What To Know
Municipalities with pet limits in place include:
- Arvada, Colorado: Three dogs, four cats or a combination of dogs and cats totaling four
- Boulder, Colorado: Four adult animals
- Colorado Springs, Colorado: Four dogs and four cats
- Northglenn, Colorado: Four cats, four dogs or a combination totaling no more than four, starting August 1
- Junction City, Kansas: Six dogs, cats, ferrets or combination of the three
- Kansas City, Missouri: Four animals, including dogs, cats, pigs and ferrets
- Hawthorne, New Jersey: Four dogs or five cats
- Rahway, New Jersey: Five dogs, five cats or a combination of the two not exceeding five
- Stratford, New Jersey: Four total cats, dogs, rabbits, mammals, birds, reptiles and/or any pets or animals allowed by law
- Hornell, New York: Four dogs
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Four pets, except birds and fish
- Lubbock, Texas: Four dogs and four cats
- McAllen, Texas: Eight dogs or eight cats
- Eau Claire, Wisconsin: Three dogs or four cats, no more than five pets total
A dog shares a sofa with a couple of cats.
Nano Calvo via AP Images
Northglenn Pet Ordinance
Starting August 1, residents in Northglenn, Colorado, cannot have more than four dogs, four cats or a combination of the two totaling more than four.
If a resident owns more pets than the new limit allows, they can apply for a “previously owned pet exception” before the ordinance takes effect.
The city said that a failure to report extra pets before the deadline could result in “enforcement action, including a potential court order requiring pet removal.”
McAllen Pet Ordinance
McAllen residents are permitted to have eight dogs, eight cats or combination of the two not exceeding eight. Anyone who wishes to exceed the limit can apply for an “excess animal permit,” which is valid for one year.
If a resident is above the limit and partners with a local animal welfare nonprofit, they do not need to apply for a pet permit.
The policy was passed by the McAllen City Commission in August of last year.
What People Are Saying
City of Northglenn, on its website: “Pets bring joy and companionship to our lives, but they also come with responsibilities. By establishing reasonable pet limits, we aim to ensure that everyone living in Northglenn, both pet owners and non-pet owners, can enjoy their homes and neighborhoods.”
What Happens Next
Pet owners can check state and local laws to see if they are subject to ownership limits.
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