Louisiana Pet Limit Laws: How Many Pets Can You Own?

Louisiana does not cap ordinary household pets, but it is one of the few states with a hard number in its dog laws: breeders may not keep more than 75 breeding dogs over one year old.

Louisiana pet limit rules at a glance

What Louisiana law says

• La. R.S. 3:2772(E)-(G): kennel licenses for owners of 5 or more dogs; required if breeding and selling.
• Kennel applicants give their USDA dealer license number (or why none is required) and sales tax ID (3:2772(I)).
• No breeder may keep more than 75 dogs over one year old for breeding (3:2772(H)).
• Retail pet stores may sell dogs only from qualifying sources and not under 8 weeks old (3:2511).

Where pet limits usually come from

• City and county ordinances. Cities can cap household pets or require a kennel or multi-pet permit above a set number.
• Zoning rules. Keeping many animals can turn a home into a "kennel" use that is not allowed in residential zones.
• Leases and HOAs. Landlords and homeowners associations can set lower limits than the law, and many restrict size or breed.
• Nuisance and cruelty laws. Even without a number cap, barking, odor or poor care can lead to enforcement.

How to check the limit for your address

1. Search your city code for "animals" or "dogs" and look for a number limit or a kennel permit section.
2. If you live in an unincorporated area, check the county code instead.
3. Read your lease or HOA covenants.
4. Ask local animal services; they also sell dog licenses and can tell you whether a multi-dog or kennel license is needed.

Thinking about adding another pet? Local shelters and rescues can tell you what the adoption process involves; see how adopting a dog or cat works.

Sources

1. Michigan State University Animal Legal & Historical Center: Louisiana dog laws
2. Michigan State University Animal Legal & Historical Center: State commercial pet breeder laws