Anyone illegally breeding cats and dogs in Fresno will now face increased scrutiny from the city.
Thursday, the Fresno City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to fine anyone who illegally sells cats and dogs or breeds them without a license.
The big picture: The ordinance was introduced at the city council’s meeting on Aug. 15 and came back before the council on Thursday for final approval.
- It levies a $1,000 fine per cat or dog that is sold by anyone who does not have a breeder permit from the city.
- People will be able to avoid fines if they can provide proof to the city within 30 days that the animals were spayed or neutered or if they can acquire a breeders permit within 15 days.
- Violators will face a misdemeanor if they do not provide proof within 30 days.
- Licensed breeders will also only be allowed to have one litter in a household each year.
Why it matters: Fresno City Council President Annalisa Perea and Councilmember Garry Bredefeld authored the ordinance to tackle the animal overcrowding crisis currently affecting the city.
- The city built the Fresno Animal Center after years of public concern over the high euthanasia rates at the Central California SPCA.
- Fresno took over the new shelter last December, only to find that it was vastly overcrowded, leading to concerns about the health of the animals.
What they’re saying: The council passed the ordinance during the consent calendar portion of Thursday’s meeting, meaning they did not make any comments on it.
- Bredefeld wrote the following statement on Facebook regarding the ordinance earlier in August: “The goal is clear. We will crack down on illegal breeding and end this practice in the City of Fresno. We continue to encourage animals to be spayed and neutered and the Fresno Animal Center will continue to provide quality services to animals that are admitted into the Center. We will also work closely with all rescue groups to help find homes for all those animals that are in need of one. We are grateful to all the rescue groups that do so much great work with animals in need.”
