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

Monterey County does not rely on a single 'hoarding' ordinance; instead it uses a combination of County animal-care provisions and state cruelty law. California Penal Code section 597 is the central statute: it criminalizes maliciously harming animals and, importantly for hoarding, neglect such as depriving an animal of necessary food, water, or shelter or subjecting it to needless suffering. Where the sheer number of animals on a property compromises their health and safety through overcrowding and inadequate care, that conduct can be charged under Penal Code 597, which is a 'wobbler' that prosecutors may file as a misdemeanor or felony depending on severity. At the County level, MCC Title 8 supports enforcement: abandoning an animal is a misdemeanor under MCC 8.44.010, and the nuisance provisions in MCC 8.36 allow abatement of conditions (including excessive numbers of animals) that create odor, sanitation, or noise problems. Monterey County Animal Services Field Services investigates cruelty and neglect complaints in the unincorporated county and works with the SPCA for Monterey County and law enforcement; officers may impound animals that are suffering or at risk and may seek court authority to do so. Anyone who suspects animal hoarding or cruelty should file a report with Animal Services rather than intervening directly, because both County code and state cruelty charges can apply.