Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Animal Ordinances
Requirements that dogs and cats over a certain age be sterilized, with intact-animal permits, exemptions for breeders, and penalties for noncompliance.
How Mandatory Spay/Neuter Rules Differ by Place
Fort Smith, AR: Fort Smith Mandatory Pet Spay/Neuter Rule
Heavy RestrictionsFort Smith requires pet dogs and cats past reproductive age to be spayed or neutered unless the animal stays leashed or confined to a secured enclosure at all times.
Clovis, CA: Clovis Mandatory Spay and Neuter Rules
Heavy RestrictionsClovis requires every dog or cat over four months old to be spayed or neutered unless the owner documents a specific exemption, and no shelter animal may be adopted out unaltered…
Garden Grove, CA: Garden Grove Pot-Bellied Pig Spay/Neuter Mandate
Heavy RestrictionsGarden Grove's only mandatory sterilization law targets pot-bellied pigs: Municipal Code Section 6.04.020(B)(5) requires every pot-bellied pig to be spayed or neutered by two months of…
Maricopa County, AZ: Maricopa County Dog Spay/Neuter Fee Discount
Few RestrictionsMaricopa County does not require pet owners in unincorporated areas to spay or neuter their dogs. Instead, the county's Rabies/Animal Control Ordinance lets the Board of Supervisors…
Daly City, CA: Spay/neuter required after impound or dangerous finding
Few RestrictionsDaly City does not require all pets to be sterilized, but Municipal Code Section 6.04.280 charges a refundable $100 spay/neuter fee to redeem any impounded unaltered animal and makes…
Simi Valley, CA: Simi Valley Has No Mandatory Spay/Neuter Law
Few RestrictionsSimi Valley expressly deleted the Ventura County spay/neuter mandate it otherwise adopted by reference. Section 6-1.201 removes former Section 4421 in its entirety, so the City has no…
Cities & Counties with Mandatory Spay/Neuter Rules
304 locations
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Other Animal Ordinances Topics
Chickens & Livestock
Combined rules for keeping chickens and other livestock such as goats, rabbits, and ducks on residential property, including lot size requirements.
Dog Leash Laws
When and where dogs must be on a leash, off-leash park rules, leash length limits, and penalties for dogs running loose.
Breed Restrictions
Bans or special requirements for specific dog breeds, including breed-specific legislation, muzzle requirements, and insurance mandates.
Beekeeping
Rules for keeping bees in residential areas, including hive placement, number of colonies allowed, and registration requirements.
Exotic Pets
Which non-traditional pets are allowed or banned, such as reptiles, ferrets, potbelly pigs, and other exotic animals.
Wildlife Feeding
Rules about feeding wild animals like deer, coyotes, or feral cats, and requirements for securing trash to prevent wildlife encounters.
Pet Limits
Maximum number of cats, dogs, or other companion animals allowed per household, including counts that trigger kennel-license requirements.
Cat Rules
Rules specific to cats, outdoor roaming, feral cat colonies, leash laws (yes, some cities require them), and licensing requirements.
Microchipping
Mandates that dogs and cats be microchipped before leaving a shelter or by a certain age, including registration and tag requirements.
Coyote Management
How your city handles urban coyotes, including hazing protocols, feeding bans, and what residents should do when sighting one near homes.
Pet Store Rules
Restrictions on retail pet sales, including bans on commercially bred dogs and cats and rescue-only sourcing requirements.
Pet Groomer Rules
Health and safety standards for commercial pet grooming, including animal-handling certifications, sanitation, and zoning where mobile groomers may operate.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Where veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and emergency animal-care facilities may be located, including overnight-boarding and noise buffers.
Bird Protection
Local rules protecting specific bird species (LAMC §53.55), including penalties for trapping or harming protected species and bird-safe building design.
Wildlife Rescue Permits
CDFW and city permits required to rehabilitate injured wildlife, including the Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit program and approved holding facilities.