Winnebago County, IL Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

The county doesn't force owners to alter pets they already have, but it drives the outcome two ways. Under the fee schedule in Sec. 14-116(7), every dog or cat leaving the county shelter through adoption must be spayed or neutered, registered, vaccinated, and given preventative care first: no exceptions for adopters. Separately, Sec. 14-116(1)-(2) charges a much higher annual registration fee for a "fertile" dog or cat ($50 dog / $40 cat) than for one with proof of alteration ($30 dog / $25 cat), and $10 of every unaltered-animal fee is earmarked under Sec. 14-117 to fund a county spay/neuter program. Dogs impounded a second time for running at large face added spay ($175) or neuter ($145) fees under the same schedule.