The official state bird of Kentucky is the Northern Cardinal, known colloquially as the redbird, common cardinal, red cardinal, or just cardinal. The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a native Kentucky dog breed, which could become Kentucky's state dog.
With all that being said, how many pets are allowed per household in the Bluegrass State? In Kentucky, there is no statewide law limiting pet ownership. However, there are local laws, meaning the number of pets you can own is regulated by your city or county.
It also means that pet ownership laws can vary from one municipality to another. To determine the number of dogs or cats allowed per household in your locality, you may reach out to your City Clerk's office or local Animal Control. On the other hand, you can hit up Google and search for your municipality's animal ordinance.
Meanwhile, I have listed below some Kentucky municipalities and their pet ownership laws.
Louisville
If you reside in a residential area within Louisville, KY, there is a limit to the number of dogs you can own. Per the city code, no more than 3 dogs "may be quartered outdoors" on parcels less than a half acre.
On parcels more than half an acre but less than two acres, a maximum of 7 dogs is allowed to be "quartered outdoors." This restrictive animal control ordinance does not apply to puppies. If you wish to have more dogs, you may apply for a Class A, Class B, or Class C kennel license.
Louisville law does not limit the number of cats you can own, meaning you can have as many felines as you can properly care for.
Lexington
In Lexington-Fayette County, there is no limit to the number of cats you can own. Dog ownership, on the other hand, is limited to 7 per household. A $135 kennel license is required to own 8 or more dogs in the city. A rabies vaccination is required for all dogs and cats four months of age or older. For each dog and cat six months of age or older, a city license is required. For more info, please refer to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Code of Ordinances.
Glasgow
No more than four dogs or cats are allowed per household within the city limits of Glasgow, KY. If your dog or cat has babies, you have two months to dispose of the kittens or puppies. The city of Glasgow's municipal code requires annual licensing of all dogs aged six months or older. Additionally, all dogs and cats aged four months must be vaccinated.
Shepherdsville
The combined total of cats and dogs allowed per household in Shepherdsville, KY, is five. Nevertheless, you can obtain a conditional use permit to own more dogs or cats. As a pet owner, it shall be unlawful for you to permit your dog to be a nuisance by excessive barking, running at large, or causing property damage.
Are there any dog breeds banned or restricted in Kentucky?
While Kentucky has no statewide breed-specific legislation (BSL), many cities and counties have their own ordinances banning or restricting certain breeds of dogs. For example, the home rule-class city of Mayfield's municipal code defines Pit bulls, Rottweilers, and any mix breeds thereof as "Vicious Dogs." As a result, the ownership of these breeds within the city limits is subject to several restrictions.
In Flatwoods, KY, the Rottweiler, pit bull, Chow Chow, and Doberman Pinscher are declared "Potentially Vicious Dogs" by the city code.
The city of Augusta, KY's municipal code determines that Pit bull terriers "have inherently vicious and dangerous propensities" and consequently bans the breed.
