In a move that could have a paw-sitive impact on shelter animals’ lives, the Sacramento City Council will consider a proposal to raise the number of dogs people can own.
At Tuesday’s city council meeting, members will consider raising the number of dogs allowed for residents from 3 to 4, provided the four pups are spayed and neutered.
Animals that are properly licensed, such as for being a show animal or competing in field events, would be exempt from the neutering requirements.
The intent of the change is to both help the city’s Front Street shelter and to promote spaying and neutering.
The move was approved by the Animal Wellbeing Commission and comes as the shelter has been dealing with overcrowding.
In May 2025, the City Auditor report recommended the city expand spay and neutering services, as they found the animal population grew by more than 30% since it opened in 1992.
Animal Wellbeing Commissioner Ryan Hinderman at the April 15 meeting said the proposal has been in the works for the last year “with the intention that by increasing the number of dogs that can be legally owned in the city from 3 to 4, that could have a positive impact on increasing adoptions,” he said.
The City Council meeting on the provision will be held at 2 p.m.