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LA Officials Back Proposal Raising Household Cap On Cats To 5

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Los Angeles City Council committee have backed a proposal raising the number of cats allowed per household from three to five.

Los Angeles households are currently only allowed to keep a maximum of three spayed or neutered cats, whether indoor or outdoor.

The council's Personnel and Animal Welfare Committee unanimously signed off on a proposal in which households would be able to keep up to five spayed or neutered cats, though all must be kept indoors.

Animal Services officials say this proposed change is aimed at lowering the number of shelter cats that are euthanized when room runs out, with cats often at greater risk than dogs of being put down.

Other municipalities have higher caps on cat ownership or none at all, according to Animal Services officials. San Diego does not limit the number of cats, and Santa Monica has no limit on indoor cats.

If the Animal Services Department's proposal is approved by the full City Council, the City Attorney's Office would be asked to prepare and bring back an ordinance with the new cat limit.

In other potential shelter animal-related actions at City Hall, the full City Council is considering a resolution that would support a state bill calling for shelter pets to be named the official "state pet."

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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