How Many Pets Rochester, MN Actually Allows Might Shock You

Confession time. I always thought my four dog household was a little crazy, maybe even grounds for a friendly neighborhood intervention. Turns out Rochester says I am nowhere near my full potential and the number of pets legally allowed might actually shock you.

This little emotional spiral all began a few years back at a Paws and Claws pet adoption event where I was doing my absolute best to pretend I was a normal responsible adult and not someone who wants to adopt single every animal that makes eye contact with me. These events get me every time!

Also See: It Is ILLEGAL to Have These Animals As Pets in Minnesota 

And for the record I have tried fostering. I say "tried" because I failed so spectacularly that both fosters are now permanent residents. Foster fail is just a polite way of saying these are my doggos forever and there is no going back.

While I was busy snuggling one of the cutest puppies to ever grace this planet, a volunteer smiled and told me I should just adopt her. I laughed and told her I already had more pets than Rochester probably allowed.

She looked at me dead serious and said: “You have 9 pets?”

Excuse me ma’am what?

Nine. NINE.

Here I was thinking the four dogs I had at the time put me on some kind of city watch list, when actually, apparently I was operating on rookie numbers.

So naturally I had to investigate because if the city was going to silently judge my pet situation I at least wanted the facts. Turns out, she was right. According to the Rochester website: 

No person shall keep nine or more multiple animals over the age of six months within any household in the City of Rochester. The term 'multiple animals' means two or more cats, dogs, or ferrets.

AND

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, no person shall keep six or more dogs over the age of six months within any household in the City of Rochester.

So technically speaking I have room to expand my furry empire. Hypothetically. Legally. Emotionally? Absolutely yes.

Still please do not share this information with my child because he will 100 percent turn it into a formal argument for additional dogs.

Get our free mobile app

Listen to Curt St. John and Samm Adams in the Morning
weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5