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Albuquerque, NM Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Trigger age
Over 6 months, unaltered
Opt-out
Intact Companion Animal Permit (ICAP)
ICAP cap
Max 4 intact animals per household
Enforcement
2nd impoundment forces alteration
Medical exemption
Vet Medical Waiver Certificate

Summary

Albuquerque requires dogs and cats over six months old to be altered unless the owner holds an Intact Companion Animal Permit.

Owners of dogs and cats over the age of six months that have not been Altered shall obtain an Intact Companion Animal Permit for those Animals. All Intact Companion Animals must be Permanently Identified by a Microchip or other identification method acceptable to the Mayor's designee and registered with the AACC before an ICAP can be issued. No Person shall have more than four Intact Companion Animals in any Household.

Source: ABQ Animal WelfareView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-95: Current through Ordinance 2026-010, passed 4-6-2026).

Full Breakdown

Under the city's HEART Ordinance, any dog or cat over six months old that isn't spayed or neutered is legally "Intact," and the owner must obtain an Intact Companion Animal Permit (ICAP) from Albuquerque Animal Welfare. ICAP animals must be microchipped, registered with AACC, and kept at a household with no more than four intact animals, secured against escape or entry by animals of the same species. An intact animal impounded twice has its ICAP automatically revoked and must be altered at the owner's expense.

Violations & Fines

No ICAP for an unaltered dog or cat over six months is a violation; a second impoundment of an intact animal forces mandatory alteration billed to the owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to spay or neuter my pet in Albuquerque?
Not literally, but any unaltered dog or cat over six months old needs an Intact Companion Animal Permit, so alteration is the default path most owners take.
What happens if my intact pet is impounded twice?
The ICAP is automatically revoked and the animal must be altered, with AACC billing the owner for the procedure.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Albuquerque

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All Albuquerque rules

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