Plumas County, CA Animal Ordinances: Animal Hoarding (2026)

Animal hoarding in unincorporated Plumas County is addressed primarily through California state cruelty and neglect law, backstopped by the county's kennel and animal-control framework. Plumas County's Division of Animal Control is mandated to humanely house and dispose of stray animals and to enforce all laws regarding the care, custody, and control of animals within its jurisdiction. The County Code's kennel definitions provide an early intervention point: keeping four or more dogs triggers hobby or commercial kennel licensing, and a hobby kennel license cannot be issued unless the premises provide for keeping the animals confined — giving Animal Services a basis to inspect and require adequate housing. The principal hoarding and neglect law, however, is California Penal Code §597, which criminalizes maliciously or negligently failing to provide an animal in one's custody with necessary food, water, shelter, or care, and depriving it of proper care; violations may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony with up to three years in prison. Where neglect or hoarding is suspected, Plumas County Animal Services (530-283-3673) investigates and may seize animals under Penal Code §597.1, coordinating with law enforcement. Residents can report suspected hoarding or neglect directly to Animal Services.