I received a call from a Denver relocation client asking a good question about how many dogs they can have within their house when they move. I’ve had plenty of questions about pets in condos or townhomes, but never in a single family home. They’re moving to Aurora, Colorado but the question is universal. The two of us did some research. The results were interesting to me and in most cases very similar wherever you are relocating within the Denver Metro area. There are too many individual situations and details to outline this in detail, plus I’m sure the rules change so I’ll give an overview of what I’ve found to help guide our pet owners out there! Woof.
Let’s start with Aurora, CO since that was the focus of our original conversation about pet relocation.
Aurora Pet Rules
- 3 adult dogs – plus one litter of offspring under the age of four months; No Pitbulls
- 5 adult cats – plus one litter of offspring under the age of four months
- 3 ferrets – all of which must be spayed or neutered
- 2 rabbits – (both must be spayed or neutered)
You can apply for a permit for an additional animal. It’s not guaranteed and they may visit your home to verify the living conditions. You can call the Aurora Animal Shelter for further information at 303-326-8280.
Denver Relocation Pet Rules
- Violations occur when the number of household pets exceeds 3 dogs, 5 cats, 2 rabbits, or 25 pigeons, or 5 total dogs and cats or 2 domestic honey bee hives.
- No pitbulls
You can apply for a variance to keep an additional animal here as well. Not guaranteed, but an option.
Douglas County
Household dogs and cats are limited to 4 total over 4 months of age. Birds, fish, gerbils, & hamsters do not apply.
Lakewood
It is unlawful to keep more than a total of five (5) regulated species of household pets per residence; however the total cannot exceed three (3) animals of the same species.
Arvada
Arvada limits pet animals to no more then 3 dogs, or no more than 2 pot-bellied pigs per household. It further limits the combinations of dogs and pot-bellied pigs with cats up to 4 maximum per household.
Thornton
Thornton allows (3) dogs or (3) cats within a household. Or if a combination of dogs and cats, no more that (4) total.
Lone Tree
Lone Tree bans all fighting breeds: pit bulls, American bulldogs, dogo argentinos, canary dogs, presa mallorquins, tosa inus, cane corsos and fila brasilairos
As you can see, most areas are very similar in the cat and dog counts that they allow within a household. Not only for disturbance, but for the health of the animals is the likely the reason they keep the counts on the lower side. Details around snakes, birds, hamsters, chickens, goats, and more should be reviewed with the city or county you live or are relocating to. There are also many areas not covered in this article. And lastly, please consult your area because rules change!
Also, keep in mind that there may be rules around your pets being spayed, neutered, having the appropriate shots and more.
Whether you’re moving to Aurora or another location within the Denver metro area, I hope this gets you started with knowledge about your beloved pets or the ones you’d like to adopt when you get here.
If you are moving to Denver, I’d love for you to ask me another question. I know most of the answers. But, if I don’t, I will get the answer for you just like I learned about pet relocation
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hello im moving to Denver in April from Canada i have three dogs two cats . what do I need to bring them with us?
Hi Liz!
Sorry for the delay. It depends on two things:
What immigration lets you bring in at the Border is #1. You can check with US customs for that information.
#2 is where you end up living in Denver. There are zoning laws in some suburbs regulating the number of pets. (See Above). In addition, some condo buildings and subdivision have additional restrictions too. Let us know where you are considering to move and we might be able to get some more specific information for you. Or, call us at the 877-378-8213 number to discuss further.