The Los Angeles City Council has made a significant decision to address the issue of overcrowding in city-run animal shelters by voting to temporarily halt the issuance of new dog breeding licenses. This move comes as a response to the alarming data that revealed more than 1,500 dogs were living in shelters with only 737 kennels available, resulting in a capacity that was over 200% above the limit. The dire situation has led to dogs being crowded in kennels or housed in crates in hallways for extended periods, ultimately leading to a 22% increase in euthanizations compared to the previous year.

The decision to stop issuing new dog breeding licenses was met with support from Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who emphasized the need to prioritize the well-being of animals in the city’s shelters. Hernandez, who chairs the committee overseeing the Animal Services Department, stated that it is unacceptable to continue issuing breeding permits while thousands of animals are suffering from overcrowded conditions.

The ban on new dog breeding permits has not come without opposition, with the American Kennel Club voicing their disagreement with the decision. The organization argued that blaming responsible breeders for the shelter crisis would not address the root cause of the issue. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that a significant number of individuals obtaining licenses are not breeding their dogs but rather using the permit to avoid spaying or neutering their pets as required by city law.

The City of Los Angeles does not currently regulate breeders, which has allowed unlicensed backyard breeders to contribute to the problem. Staycee Dains, the general manager of the Animal Services Department, noted that there has been an increase in purebred dogs entering shelters, further highlighting the need for action to address the breeding permit issue.

The temporary ban on new dog breeding licenses will remain in place until the daily inventory count of dogs at city-run shelters falls to 75% or less of the total kennel capacity over a three-month period. While the decision has been praised by animal welfare advocates, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, there is a consensus that more actions need to be taken to enforce existing spay and neuter laws and improve shelter conditions.

Councilmember Hernandez emphasized that the ban on new breeding permits is just one step in addressing the challenges faced by the city’s animal shelters. She expressed her intention to continue discussions on improving shelter conditions during budget conversations in the upcoming months, indicating a commitment to further action to safeguard the well-being of animals in Los Angeles.