Celina, TX Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Citywide mandate
- None for owned pets
- Sterilized pets
- Pay lower registration fee
- Pets under 1 year
- Billed at sterilized rate
- Shelter adoptions
- Sterilization required, § 2.03.003
- Medical exemption
- Vet letter waives lower-fee rule
Summary
Celina does not require dog or cat owners to spay or neuter their pets. Instead, the city charges a lower registration and impoundment fee for animals proven sterilized.
If the cat or dog being registered has been neutered or spayed and proof of the surgical sterilization can be shown to an animal control officer or a veterinarian authorized to issue the registration, the fee will then be an amount as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code. Dogs and cats under the age of one year shall be registered at the sterilized fee. Animals may be exempted from the sterilization provision upon written recommendation from a veterinarian that the alteration would be harmful or dangerous to the animal.
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 2.02.031, every dog or cat registration must be accompanied by a fee, but owners who show proof of surgical sterilization pay the lower "sterilized" rate; dogs and cats under one year old are automatically billed at that sterilized rate. The same discount structure applies to impoundment fees under § 2.03.002. A veterinarian's written statement that sterilization would be harmful can exempt an animal from the lower-fee requirement. Sterilization is required only when adopting a dog or cat from the city shelter under § 2.03.003, where the adopter's deposit is refunded upon proof the animal was fixed.
Violations & Fines
There is no citation for owning an unaltered pet in Celina. Skipping proof of sterilization just means paying the higher registration or impoundment fee under the fee schedule in appendix A of the city code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Celina require me to spay or neuter my dog or cat?
Is spay/neuter required to adopt from the Celina animal shelter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Celina
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Celina to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Collin County handle mandatory spay/neuter.