Pet limit law opposition resources
Some of these links have been featured on this blog before, but for ease of reference I have compiled here a number of resources dealing with pet limit by-laws and why they are problematic, do not serve animals or the community and are contrary to the Constitution.
The San Fransciso SPCA is a highly respected organisation in the United States, involved not only in rescue but in training of pet professionals, they oppose pet limit laws
http://www.theanimalcouncil.com/files/SFSPCA_Limit_Laws_4_00_f.pdf
Quoted from the above link:
‘Many local jurisdictions enacting pet limit laws allow caretakers who have more than the allowable number of pets to apply for an “exemption” permit. Therefore, these jurisdictions claim, “responsible” pet owners need not fear the law. This view is shortsighted and would put multi-pet households in a Catch-22: choosing between not seeking a permit and violating the law on the one hand; or, applying for a permit, but risking exposure and confiscation of their pets if
they are denied. In other words, multi-pet households would fear applying for a permit, because to do so would expose them to penalties and possible loss of their beloved companions if denied a permit.’
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the world’s largest organisation of trainers, behaviourists and other pet professionals, opposes pet limit laws
http://www.apdt.com/about/ps/limit_laws.aspx
Pet limit laws declared unconstitutional and struck down in two cases in America
http://www.nokillnow.com/petlimitlawunconst.htm
Quoted from the above link:
‘Writing for the Commonwealth Court, Judge Friedman disagreed, holding that an ordinance limiting the number of dogs or cats a person could keep to five reached beyond the power granted to the Borough to prohibit a nuisance, absent any indication why more than five cats or dogs might constitute a nuisance or a risk to the public health, safety and welfare. The Court went on to add: “Even legitimate legislative goals (controlling nuisances) cannot be pursued by means which stifle fundamental personal liberty when the goals can be otherwise more reasonably achieved.”‘
The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes pet limit laws
http://www.akc.org/pdfs/GLEG02.pdf
The International Cat Association opposes pet limit laws
http://ticaleg.org/understanding_the_limits_on_limi.htm
The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) opposes pet limit laws and suggests alternatives for pet friendly ordinances
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/PetFriendlyGuide.pdf
The Animal Council opposes pet limit by-laws
http://www.theanimalcouncil.com/LimitLaws.html
The Dog Owner’s Guide discusses pet laws and why it opposes pet limit laws
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/laws1.html
The No Kill Advocacy Centre opposes pet limit laws
http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/pdf/PetLimitLaws.pdf
Quoted from the above link:
‘Proponents of these type of laws claim that pet limit laws prevent animal hoarding. This assertion is undeniably false…And since these individuals are often mentally ill, they are hardly making a determined calculus about whether to hoard animals based on a pet limit law’
Article in the LA Examiner discussing pet limit laws and why they don’t serve animals
http://www.examiner.com/x-1779-LA-Pet-Rescue-Examiner~y2009m1d7-Do-petlimit-laws-make-sense
