August 2024

Kelly Crouch, CFA Legislative Information Liaison

The Edmonds, Washington City Council, with a vote of 4:3, adopted a so-called backyard breeding ban on July 23, 2024, to reduce the number of dogs and cats in the city’s shelter. The ordinance, however, is intended to be a complete breeding ban for all, with two narrow exceptions that would not apply to hobby breeders. Councilwoman Nand, who proposed the ordinance (agenda packet p. 373 – 413 ), stated it would not apply to people merely gifting offspring intended for family and friends or if the owner was only charging a rehoming fee for the offspring of an accidental litter they could cure the fine by proving the bred animals were sterilized. The ordinance’s language states it is unlawful for any person to deliberately breed any dog, cat, or rabbit for profit. Violations of the breeding ban could result in a fine of not more than $1000 per deliberately bred litter. The advertisement and sale of companion animals by any person or corporation is also prohibited, and violations are punishable by a fine of $250 per animal per day.

The ordinances of two nearby cities were considered and rejected by Councilwoman Nand. The first was Bothell (which straddles the Snohomish and King County line), which adopted mandatory spay/neuter of cats and dogs without an unaltered license and hobby cattery or kennel licenses subject to limits on the allowed number of animals. The other city was Everett . It requires cattery and kennel licensing ( https://everett.municipal.codes/EMC/6.04.040 ), and containment of female animals in heat. She also said that less restrictive options would be too burdensome for the city to enforce with only two animal control officers, as cleaning up after an overwhelmed breeder was more of a burden than making the activity illegal. Council President Vivian Olsen commented that the animal laws in this city of about 43,000 residents were already restrictive, and the proposed ordinance was “too heavy-handed.”

You are our eyes and ears! Is detrimental legislation happening in your area? Please let us know. Contact the CFA Legislative Group at legislation@cfa.org