Summary:
On Tuesday and Wednesday this week (September 26 and 27), two Los Angeles city committees will consider a proposal that could lead to a suspension of new breeder permits for city residents. Under current city law, breeder permits are required for all breeding in the city, as well as for anyone wishing to own an intact dog – regardless of if they are currently breeding. The origin of this proposal is a claim that the city’s shelter system is experiencing overpopulation. Even though officials have admitted that those with breeder permits are not the primary concern, some are claiming a moratorium will demonstrate they are acting swiftly to address shelter issues.
Residents of Los Angeles are strongly encouraged to contact both the Board of Animal Services and the Los Angeles City Council to express your opposition to this proposal. Share with them the benefits of local, responsible breeders. Also remind them that responsible owners of intact animals are not the reason for shelter population concerns. Encourage them instead to consider obtaining and researching accurate data on the reasons for animals coming into the shelter, and to focus on low-cost spay/neuter and other initiatives to address concerns. Scroll down for contact info.
Visit Breeding Regulations and Restrictions in the AKC Legislative Action Center for more talking points and information.
What You Can Do:
Los Angeles residents are strongly encouraged to do the following:
- Attend the Board of Animal Services Commissioners meeting and express your opposition: The proposal is scheduled to be discussed at the regularly scheduled bi-monthly meeting:
Tuesday, September 26 at 9:30 AM
City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Rm. 1060
Los Angeles, California
Public Comment Will Be Taken Both In-Person and Remotely via Teleconference. To join the meeting and to offer public comment via Teleconference, use this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82749558176
Or Dial (877) 853-5257 and use Webinar ID No. 827 4955 8176 and then Press #.
Press # again when prompted for participant ID.
Contact the Commissioners to the Board of Animal Services and let them know that suspending the rights of responsible, law-abiding breeders will not help shelter overcrowding:
- Larry Gross, President; Executive Director, Coalition for Economic Survival; gross@yahoo.com
- Alison McBeth-Featherstone, Vice President; AMFeatherstonela@gmail.com
- Olivia E. Garcia, Board Commissioner; oliviaegarcia@outlook.com
- James Jensvold, Board Commissioner; laasc@gmail.com
- James Johnson, Board Commissioner; James@justpolitics.me
- Attend the Los Angeles City Council’s Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee meeting on Wednesday and express your opposition: The proposal is scheduled to discussed on:
Wednesday, September 27 at 8:30 AM
City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Rm. 1060
Los Angeles, California
Note: The audio for Committee meetings is broadcast live on the internet at
https://clerk.lacity.gov/calendar
The live audio can also be accessed at: (213) 621-CITY (Metro), (818) 9049450 (Valley), (310) 471-CITY (Westside) and (310) 547-CITY (San Pedro area). The Committee will take public comment from members of the public inperson only; there will be no public comment by teleconference.
- Contact councilmembers from the Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee and let them know that suspending the rights of responsible, law-abiding breeders will not help shelter overcrowding. Let them know you are writing concerning Council File 23-1008:
- Submit written comments before Wednesday’s meeting at: LACouncilComment.com.
- Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, Chair; hernandez@lacity.org
- Councilmember John Lee; Lee@lacity.org
- Councilmember Heather Hutt; cd10@lacity.org
- Legislative Assistant Eric Villanueva; villanueva@lacity.org
AKC Government Relations will continue to monitor this proposal will provide updates. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.