November 2024

Kelly Crouch, CFA Legislative Information Liaison

On October 22, 2024, Ojai, California, became the first U.S. city to adopt a draconian “unethical breeding” ban for many breeds of cats and dogs exhibiting particular physical traits, similar to those found in Europe. This decision, which affects more than Persians and Burmese, sets a precedent and provides a platform for animal rights groups to spread similar legislation nationwide. Although the city did not use the deceptive and manipulative term “torture breeding” employed by animal rights extremists to describe breeding for traits like short muzzles or folded ears, the Ojai Companion Animal Protection Ordinance prohibits breeding animals likely to produce identified traits. 

In addition to Persians and Burmese, the ordinance targets Scottish Folds, Manx, and any breeds the city identifies as being “predisposed to produce offspring with physical features adverse to the offspring’s welfare.” The ordinance outlines 19 categories of congenital anatomical features likely to cause “pain, deformity, or difficulty expressing natural behaviors, difficulty breathing, difficulty with physical exertion or exercise, or difficulty breeding as a consequence of genetic selection”. This non-exhaustive list of features includes, but is not limited to, snout length, abnormal breathing, body shape, unnatural posture, skin folds, lack of tails, lameness, and neurological disorders. Violations will be classified as either an infraction with fines ranging from $50 to $250 per violation or a misdemeanor with fines up to $500 and/or jail time up to six months.

With very few fanciers challenging the activists’ claims about the alleged widespread issues of producing inherently unhealthy animals by selectively breeding animals with specific phenotypical characteristics, the ordinance was adopted with a 4:1 vote. The City Council also made the unethical breeding ban unnecessary when it eliminated the exemption for animals that compete or are titled from the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. However, they did add a time-limited exemption for large breed dogs because of health issues associated with early sterilization.

Unlike the unsuccessful New Hampshire bill, HB 1102-FN, which sought to criminalize the sale of, and breeding with the intent to sell, animals with “birth deformities” that cause suffering, there was no organized opposition to the Ojai ordinance. Organized resistance can work; unfortunately, neither CFA nor its allies learned of this bill before it was adopted! Animal rights activists often target locations where they have influence and little opposition to push their anti-breeder agenda. Once successful, they use these jurisdictions as a model to spread similar legislation to other jurisdictions.  

Fanciers are encouraged to monitor their communities and advocate against detrimental legislation as it arises to prevent these laws from being adopted. With over 30,000 local governments in the U.S. alone, the involvement of fanciers is crucial in combating these harmful laws. YOU ARE THE EYES AND EARS OF THE FANCY! Please contact the CFA Legislative Group if you find it. It is easier to stop legislation than overturn it!

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