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A NEW law that will take effect on August 1 restricts the number of animals residents can own.
The law allows cities to seize residents’ cats and dogs to reduce the number of animals in a household.
After the bill goes into effect, pet owners can have a maximum of four cats and/or dogs in one household.
The homeowner is allowed to have a combination of cats and dogs, as long as the total doesn’t exceed four.
Restrictions on the number of pets one household can have came at the request of residents in the city, the Daily Mail reported.
The new restriction was passed by the city council in Northglenn, Colorado, which is about 40 minutes outside of Denver.
The city council said the limitation is their solution to complaints about “excessive noise and waste caused by a high number of pets in some neighborhoods.”
Current residents who own more than four pets can apply for an exemption, which would allow them to circumvent the rule.
“We understand that many of our residents have strong bonds with their pets, and we want to ensure a compassionate transition,” the city wrote on its website.
When applying for the exemption, pet owners must list their pet’s name, age, sex, breed, and the date the pet began living at the residence.
Those who fail to provide the proper information run the risk of the city removing their pets.
“Our goal is to work with residents to ensure compliance through education and outreach before any enforcement action is taken,” the city stated.
Residents applying for the exemption can do so on the city’s website.
“Pets bring joy and companionship to our lives, but they also come with responsibilities.
“By establishing reasonable pet limits, we aim to ensure that everyone living in Northglenn, both pet owners and non-pet owners, can enjoy their homes and neighborhoods.”
City officials thanked residents for their “cooperation” as the new rule goes into effect.
Cities surrounding Northglenn already have a similar ban in place.
Northglenn residents didn’t take the news lightly, despite other cities having similar laws.
New pet law
According to the Northglenn city website:
Under the new regulation, each residential dwelling unit in Northglenn will be limited to:
- A maximum of four dogs
- A maximum of four cats
- A combination of cats and dogs totaling no more than four
We understand that many of our residents have strong bonds with their pets, and we want to ensure a compassionate transition. If you currently own more pets than the new limit allows, you will be eligible for a “previously owned pet exception.” This means you will be allowed to keep your existing pets, provided
you disclose them to the City by Aug. 1, 2025.
To qualify for this exception, residents must submit a form listing each pet’s name, age, sex, breed, and the date acquired. You can find that form at www.northglenn.org/petreport.
“I guess Northglenn is slowly progressing into becoming Russia since soon we’ll only be able to have a certain number of pets,” one person said.
“What’s next? Can only have one TV and one car in one household?”
Colorado isn’t the first state to have pet ordinances in certain cities.
New Jersey, North Carolina, and California all allow cities to enforce pet ordinances.
In Rhode Island, residents can own up to three adult dogs, as well as three adult cats per residence.
