Animals that annoy neighbors, such as dogs that constantly bark, can affect your property rights.
The number of pets you can have is usually determined by the city you live in. In most US cities, laws often limit the number of dogs to two and may also limit the number of cats. Other pets such as mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, or hamsters may also have a number limit in your area.
The best way to find out if you currently exceed the appropriate number of pets is to call your local animal control department. This can help you determine if you need to find homes for some of your pets, or it can help you decide if you can add more. Of course, another factor is not just the number of animals you have, but also your ability to provide them with proper care. You definitely need to have the means to provide adequate food and housing and be able to pay for veterinary care for any of your pets.
Some cities have limits on the number of birds a person can keep.
Sometimes pet laws exclude unincorporated areas of a city. This means that areas outside of city limits or rural areas are generally less likely to place restrictions on the number of pets you can keep. Again, you should still be able to properly and safely care for these animals.
Even with laws that give you the right to have a certain number of pets, animals that annoy other neighbors, such as dogs that constantly bark, can restrict your property rights. People successfully sued neighbors and removed pets from their homes because the animal’s behavior was affecting another owner’s right to enjoy their property. If you have a dog that barks frequently, consider training the animals or keeping them indoors as much as possible to minimize nuisance from neighbors.
Pet owners can care for a wide variety of animals, but the total number they can keep is generally determined by local city laws.
What you define as a household pet may not be considered such under state or local law. For example, if you have snakes, ferrets, or imported animals, they may be considered exotic animals. You should check the laws before you get that pet and be prepared to apply for an exotic animal license. A wolf/dog mix also usually requires a special license and registration if the dog is at least 50% wolf, since a wolf is technically a wild animal.
Guinea pigs are common pets.
Another category of animals that cannot be considered pets are small farm animals. No matter how much you love your pot-bellied pig or miniature horse, it can still be considered a farm animal and not a pet. In urban and suburban settings, people may have restrictions on the “farm animals” they can own and may need additional land or special permits to keep these animals.