Along with spring flowers, the season may also bring adorable animals into your home. Who can resist a cuddly puppy, playful kitten, or sweet baby bunny? When that irresistible bundle of fur becomes a member of your family, you may be interested to know there is no specific limit to the number of bunnies you can keep at your house, according to what I can gather from the Orange County Animal Services website.
Same thing for birds, snakes, turtles, fish and guinea pigs.
However, there are some limits when it comes to dogs and cats. Let’s take a look at the guidelines, rules, and constraints regarding keeping mammals, reptiles, arachnids.
The county allows three animals total, dogs, cats or combo of dogs and cats. Once you exceed these limits, you must apply for a license (often called a kennel license).
According to recorded information on their phone line, the county animal services currently supports the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Lake Forest, Midway City, Orange, Placentia, Rossmoor, San Juan Capistrano, Tustin, Villa Park, Yorba Linda and all unincorporated areas in the county.
Be careful, though. If you live within the boundaries of other cities, differing city rules will prevail.
But wait, it gets more complicated. If your home has a homeowners’ association (HOA,) they may have their own rules regarding the number and type of pets you can keep at home. You must check the covenants, conditions, and restrictions for your HOA to determine pet rules. HOA rules prevail.
A representative from Mission Viejo Animal Services, which serves Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, and Rancho Santa Margarita, said there is no limit to other “domestic” animals such as rabbits, turtles, guinea pigs, birds, iguanas, tarantulas, or bearded dragons.
However, if your collection of uncontrolled critters becomes a public nuisance (via excessive noise or foul odors), a law enforcement officer may pay you a visit to check out your situation. They judge on a case by case basis and are looking at the specifics of the public nuisance, as well as signs of humane (or inhumane) treatment of the animals, to determine the indicated course of action.
As with any pet you keep at home, if a bunny recently joined your family, be sure to have a plan for proper care, be aware of whose rules you need to follow, and be courteous to your neighbors.
Please note, ferrets are illegal in the state of California.