Lodi, CA Animal Ordinances: Animal Hoarding (2026)

Animal hoarding in California is prosecuted primarily under Penal Code §597, which makes it a "wobbler" offense (chargeable as misdemeanor or felony) to overdrive, overload, torture, torment, deprive of necessary sustenance, drink, or shelter, or cruelly kill any animal. The Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium defines hoarding as accumulating animals such that owners cannot provide minimum standards of nutrition, sanitation, and veterinary care, while failing to acknowledge the deteriorating condition. Penal Code §597.1 authorizes peace officers and humane officers to immediately seize animals when an owner has failed to provide necessary care, with the owner liable for impound and care costs prior to release. Lodi Municipal Code Title 6 (Animals), specifically §6.12, requires licensing and rabies vaccination of all dogs and cats over 4 months of age (§6.12.010) and establishes the per-property animal limits that Animal Services uses to detect hoarding situations. Lodi Animal Services (221 W Pine Street, 209-333-6700) is the primary investigator; serious cases are referred to the San Joaquin County District Attorney for §597 prosecution. The 2023 update to Lodi's animal ordinance (City Council File 23-117) further strengthened enforcement authority. Convicted hoarders may be ordered under Penal Code §597(g) to undergo mental health counseling, since hoarding is recognized in DSM-5 as a disorder, and may be prohibited from owning animals for up to 10 years.