LOS ANGELES — Friday, September 15th, L.A. City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez introduced a motion directing the City to draft an ordinance to place an immediate and indefinite moratorium on issuing new breeding permits. The motion, which was co-introduced by Councilwoman Traci Park, also directs the Department of Animal Services (DAS) to report back to City Council with data on the number and cost of breeding permits issued last year as well as analyses of other cities that have banned the issuance of breeding permits.
City animal shelters are facing an extreme overcrowding crisis resulting in dire and inhumane conditions for the animals in Animal Services’ care. Numerous factors have contributed to the crisis, including a lack of pet-friendly rental units and insufficient rates of pets being spayed and neutered. Despite the current conditions, few barriers currently exist for members of the public to obtain a breeding permit, and as of July 31, 2023, DAS had issued more than 1,100 breeding permits for this calendar year. High rates of permitted and unpermitted breeding impact both the inflow and outflow of animals from the City’s shelter system, adding further strain to the system.
“It is unacceptable for the City to continue issuing breeding permits while thousands of animals are suffering from overcrowded conditions in our animal shelters,” said Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. “While many factors have contributed to this crisis, halting the issuance of breeding permits is an immediate step the City can take to reduce the strain on the system”
"We must act now to help alleviate the burden on our overflowing animal shelters,” said Councilwoman Traci Park. “While it's not the only solution, every effort counts in creating relief at our shelters and ensuring every animal finds a home."
Special Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment (NCE) committee meeting
On Friday, Councilmember Hernandez also announced a special Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment committee meeting on Wednesday, September 27th at 8:30am in City Council chambers. Councilmember Hernandez – who chairs the committee – announced that the meeting will focus on the crisis in LA’s animal shelters and what steps DAS and the City at-large need to take to immediately protect the health and wellbeing of animals who are in its care.
The meeting agenda will be posted at https://clerk.lacity.gov/.
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