We all know that Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches and is the only rabies-free state in the US. As a rabies-free state, does Hawaii have a state law limiting the number of dogs and cats residents can own? No, there are no statewide laws in Hawaii limiting the number of household pets. However, each Hawaii municipality has its own pet ownership laws at the local level.
Therefore, the maximum number of pets you can have in your household in Hawaii depends on where you reside and the animal control laws there. You may contact your Animal Control Services for guidance to determine the number of household pets allowed in your area.
In most Hawaii municipalities, the number of dogs and cats that may be kept in a household is not restricted. But in Honolulu, the most populated city in Hawaii, there is a restriction on the number of household dogs.
Honolulu
The city of Honolulu limits each household to a maximum of 10 dogs. In addition, you are also allowed to keep no more than 2 chickens or peafowl in your household. The
City Code does not restrict the number of cats you may keep in your household. However, all dogs and cats must be microchipped.
The following animals are considered Farm Animals in Honolulu: Pigs, goats, sheep, cows, horses, llamas, and camels. If you wish to keep a farm animal, the city code requires that you keep the animal's enclosure more than 300 feet from any property line.
Are any dog or cat breeds banned in Hawaii?
Hawaii prohibits certain dog and cat breeds from entry or possession by individuals in the State. The rabies-free state has a
BREED CODE LIST of cat and dog breeds that are permitted to enter the state. Any dog and cat breed that does not appear on the list may not be eligible for entry into Hawaii.
For example, dog breeds such as the American Bully, Bandog, and Cane Corso are unlisted, which means they are prohibited from entering Hawaii. Cat breeds such as the Bengal and Savannah are banned from entering Hawaii.
Top 5 most popular dog breeds in Hawaii
According to
US News, the following 5 dog breeds are the most popular in the state of Hawaii: French Bulldog, Golden Retriever, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, and Pomeranian. The top five most popular dog names in Hawaii, according to
US News, include Boo, Buddy, Bella, Koa, and Coco.
On March 21, 2024,
Khon2 published a list of the top 10 most popular purebred dogs in Honolulu, Hawaii. These breeds include:
- French Bulldog
- Labrador Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Maltese
- Dachshund
- Border Collie
- Bulldog
- Rottweiler
- Pomeranian
