DATE: June 24, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Supervisor Garry Bredefeld, District 2
Supervisor Brian Pacheco, District 1
SUBJECT: Proposed Amendment to Title 9, Chapter 9.04 of the Ordinance Code of Fresno County 9.04 and Introduction and First Reading of Proposed Ordinance “Breeding, Transfer and Sale of Dog and Cats” to Title 9 Chapter 9.05
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Conduct first hearing to amend the Ordinance Code of Fresno County, Title 9, relating to Dog and Cat Licensing and Control, to repeal sections 9.04.045, 9.04.047, 9.04.049; to amend sections 9.04.010, 9.04.030, 9.04.040, 9.04.115; waive reading of the Ordinance in its entirety and set the second hearing for July 8, 2025;
2. Conduct first hearing to add Chapter 9.05 to the Ordinance Code of Fresno County, Title 9, Relating to the Breeding, Transfer, and Sale of Dogs and Cats; waive reading of the Ordinance in its entirety and set the second hearing for July 8, 2025;
3. Designate County Counsel to prepare fair and adequate summaries of the proposed Ordinances; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to post and publish the required summaries in accordance with Government Code, Section 25124(b)(1).
REPORT
Approval of the first recommended action will set a second hearing to enable your Board to add Chapter 9.05, “Breeding, Transfer, and Sale of Dogs and Cats” to Title 9 of the Ordinance Code of Fresno County, and will amendment and repeal portions of Chapter 9.04, allowing the ordinance codes to properly align for more clarity in the enforcement, regulation, and support of proactive measures to mitigate the County’s overpopulation of dogs and cats. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board choose not to amend the sections listed and adopt the new ordinance, the County’s enforcement will remain unchanged, and the County’s Animal Control program will continue to lack the proper enforcement tools relating to dog and cat breeding to address the County’s overpopulation of dogs and cats in the unincorporated areas of the County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Mandated animal control services are fully funded with a yearly allocation of County General Fund dollars. Patrol and enforcement will be conducted by Fresno County Animal Services and the Sheriff’s Office. These agencies may incur impacts or costs; however, they may be partially offset by payment of fees or citations.
DISCUSSION:
Fresno County is grappling with a severe dog and cat overpopulation crisis, leading to overwhelmed animal shelters and significant challenges in managing stray and abandoned animals. This escalating problem necessitates immediate action, including the implementation of a comprehensive new breeding ordinance and crucial amendments to the existing animal control code. Currently, Fresno County animal shelters are operating at or beyond capacity, struggling to house the continuous influx of dogs and cats. This situation is exacerbated by uncontrolled breeding, with many individuals breeding dogs and then abandoning puppies when unable to sell them. This not only burdens the county shelter but also contributes to the growing population of free-roaming dogs, which can pose public health and safety risks.
To effectively combat dog and cat overpopulation, Fresno County must prioritize the following:
1. Enacting a comprehensive dog and cat breeding ordinance, by adding Chapter 9.05 to Title 9, which is critical for the regulation and enforcement of dog and cat breeding in Fresno County. This ordinance will:
• Mandate breeder permits, requiring all individuals breeding dogs or cats to obtain a permit. This would allow for tracking and accountability of breeding operations.
• Limit litter frequency by establishing limits on the number of litters a licensed breeder can produce annually to prevent irresponsible breeding.
• Add stricter penalties for unlicensed breeding by imposing significant fines and misdemeanor charges for individuals found breeding dogs or cats without a permit or in violation of the ordinance.
• Promote responsible ownership by emphasizing the importance of spaying and neutering pets to reduce unwanted litters.
• Increase transparency in sales by requiring breeders to include their permit and license numbers in any advertisement for the sale of dogs or cats.
2. Amending and repealing sections in the current Animal Control Ordinance Code 9.04 to properly align with the new ordinance for more clarity in the enforcement, regulation, and support of proactive measures to mitigate the County’s overpopulation of pets.
The repealed and amended sections include:
• Repeal sections 9.04.045, 9.04.047, 9.04.049
• Amend sections 9.04.010, 9.04.030, 9.04.040, 9.04.115
By taking these decisive steps to implement a new breeding ordinance and amend the existing animal control code, Fresno County can make significant strides in addressing dog and cat overpopulation. This proactive approach will not only alleviate the burden on local animal shelters but it will also promote responsible pet ownership, improve public safety, and enhance the overall well-being of the animals in the community.
With your Board’s approval, the second reading will be held July 8, 2025, and if approved will take effect 30 days after.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
As the agency with the largest Metropolitan service area in Fresno County, faced with similar concerns with the pet population, and with a current breeding ordinance in place, the City of Fresno - Animal Services Program provided guidance in drafting the Ordinance language before your Board for consideration.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Amended Ordinance
Ordinance
On file with Clerk - Amended Ordinance Summary
On file with Clerk - Ordinance Summary
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander