The City Council to consider changes to Palm Springs Municipal Code to regulate the responsible breeding

PALM SPRINGS — For the second time since Feb. 27, 2020, responsible breeding of dogs and cats will be a topic of discussion at the Palm Springs City Council meeting on Thursday, April 8.

The draft ordinance was previously introduced at the February 27, 2020 City Council meeting, but action was not taken in light of public comments received. The proposed ordinance introduced has been revised to address certain comments received from the community, and has been drafted in conjunction with the Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

Staff has been working with Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter (Friends) to implement changes to the Palm Springs Municipal Code that the Friends believe with help reduce animals in the shelter. The proposed changes include the following:

  • Establishment of an annual breeding permit limiting the household to three litters during a 36-month period and limiting the offering a male dog or cat for stud services to three times in any 36-month period.
  • The dog or cat should, as much as practicable, have a 12-month period between litters or the offering for stud. The animal owner would also be required to identify his/her permit number on any advertising of a potential sale of the animal.
  • In addition, the owner would be required to keep records of animal sales for a period of three (3) years.

Criteria and procedures for issuing the breeding permits as well as penalties for violations including a revocation process is also proposed. Specifically, if a pet owner does not have a permit, but whose animal has been bred, the owner would be given
notice and an opportunity to obtain a permit. If the owner thereafter fails to obtain such a permit, the owner would be subject to a $500 administrative fine.

In addition, if an owner’s pet is bred more than once per 12-month period or if an owner violates the advertising or record-keeping requirements, such owner would be subject to an automatic $500 fine. Repeated violations are subject to $750 and $1,000 fines.

On March 10, 2017 Staff held a meeting with Council liaison Grace Garner and Friends with representatives of the Kennel Club. At that time revisions to the ordinance were reviewed to address the comments raised previously. The proposed ordinance reflects staff’s understanding that concerns the Kennel Club raised have been appropriately addressed.

Image Sources

  • Dogs: Pixabay