Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 6 prohibits keeping animals in numbers or conditions that cause suffering, neglect, or unsanitary premises. Animal Services investigates hoarding complaints and may seize animals when welfare standards are not met.
Under RMC Chapter 6 and California Penal Code Section 597, no Riverside resident may keep so many animals that adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, and veterinary care cannot be provided. Riverside County Department of Animal Services responds to complaints, conducts welfare inspections, and may impound animals living in filth, overcrowding, or untreated illness. Owners face misdemeanor charges, mandatory mental-health evaluation, and lifetime ownership bans for repeat cases. Multi-pet households should comply with kennel permit thresholds and keep premises clean to avoid hoarding determinations.
Animal cruelty misdemeanors carry up to one year jail and 20,000 dollar fines, plus impoundment costs and possible permanent ban on owning animals.
Riverside, CA
California Fish & Game Code §2118 and CCR Title 14 §671 prohibit keeping most exotic and non-native wildlife, including ferrets, monkeys, big cats, venomous ...
Riverside, CA
Riverside zoning generally limits households to a combined total of dogs and cats before kennel permits are required. Larger numbers require a kennel or catt...
See how Riverside's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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