The Los Angeles City Council is poised to slam the brakes on issuing dog breeding permits, as animal shelters grapple with severe overcrowding. According to a report by KTLA, this temporary moratorium became a point of discussion after the L.A. Animal Services shelters found themselves stuffed to the brim at 210% of their total capacity. Official numbers reflect a dire scenario, with 1,551 dogs housed in facilities with an intended capacity of 737.
During a recent council meeting, animal advocates flooded the chamber, voicing their concerns that the city addresses the issue head-on by halting breeding and amplifying spay and neuter campaigns. In a statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles, officials detailed the provisions of the proposed moratorium, stating that it would be lifted if the shelters operate at or below 75% of their capacity for a continuous stretch of three months. However, if shelter capacity spikes again above this threshold, the breeding pause could snap back into place.
The push for a moratorium stems from a troubling trend that sees an ever-increasing number of animals inundating not just public shelters but private ones across the nation. Detailed city documents revealed by NBC Los Angeles painted a picture of kennels teeming beyond their means, with some dogs relegated to temporary hallway crates for extended periods and staff under unremitting pressure.
Staycee Dains, the general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services, urged the community in a recent interview with KTLA to "come and volunteer," foster, adopt, and donate as efficacious strategies for community members to help alleviate the shelter's plight. She signaled the gravity of the situation by declaring "That is the only way we are going to be able to turn the tide in our shelters."
The proposed measure by the council follows after roughly 1,200 breeding permits were issued last year, with projections hinting at an end-of-year tally reaching upwards of 1,800 permits. The full City Council will contemplate the moratorium on Monday, following a green light from a council committee last week.
