Abilene, TX Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Sec. 6-94(b) requires any owner reclaiming a dog or cat over six months old that hasn't been sterilized to submit written proof of spaying or neutering 'within thirty (30) calendar days of the animal's release from the animal shelter'; failing to provide that proof is itself an offense. The section carves out an exception if the owner shows, within the same 30 days, that the animal died, was lost or stolen, or that a licensed veterinarian certified it shouldn't be sterilized for health reasons or is already infertile, plus an affirmative defense for licensed breeders, dogs bred for the purposes described in Occupations Code Sec.

005(a), or animals trained for governmental police or rescue work. Sec. 6-94(c) escalates the requirement: if the same dog or cat over six months old is impounded a second time, the owner must pay for the animal to be sterilized, or prove it already has been, before the City will release it again; misrepresenting the animal's sterilization status is a separate offense. Sec. 6-94(a) separately requires an unvaccinated animal's owner to pay for a rabies vaccination and City tag before redemption, with 72 hours after payment to get the shot administered or forfeit the fee.

Abilene Animal Outreach administers all three requirements at the Abilene Pet Adoption and Resource Center as a condition of getting an impounded animal back, rather than as a standing citywide mandate on every pet owner.