The New Orleans City Council recently passed legislation regarding animal ordinances in Orleans Parish. The updated laws went into effect on March 22, 2013 and include pertinent information for any pet owner in Orleans Parish. The ordinances are currently being enforced by the Animal Control division of the Louisiana SPCA.
Highlighted below are some of the new ordinances that may directly affect you as a pet owner or resident of Orleans Parish.
The updates to Chapter 18 Animal Ordinances include:
•Updated fees for Intact Dog Permit
•Annual license requirements for pets
•New definition to know: Community Cats
•Revised rabies vaccination requirement
•Expanded laws regarding animals in vehicles
•Stray hold period for animals brought to the shelter is reduced from 5 to 3 days
•Expanded definition of illegal owning of exotic animals which includes roosters
•Unlawful tethering (chaining) of dogs prohibited unless done in a humane and specified manner
•Requirement that privately owned indoor/outdoor cats must be microchipped or ear-tipped
•Protection of pets required during extreme weather advisories which include heat, freezing, tornado, tropical storm or hurricanes
To view and/or print the full list of ordinances regarding animals in Orleans Parish or to see Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to the revised legislation, please visit www.la-spca.org/ordinances.
A hard copy of the ordinances can be requested by writing to Louisiana SPCA, 1700 Mardi Gras Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70114. Please send $2.00 for printing and postage.
For more information, please call 504-368-5191 or email [email protected].
Woofs and Wags,
Ana Zorrilla
CEO
Louisiana SPCA