Prince George's County, MD Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- Mandatory spay/neuter before release from impound
- Cost
- Added to redemption bill, actual cost only
- Redemption fee
- $15 altered, $60 unaltered (first impoundment)
- Hardship waiver
- Proof of financial or economic loss
- Exempt
- Livestock, farm animals, government-owned animals
- Medical exception
- Per § 3-177
Summary
Prince George's County Code § 3-128(c) requires every impounded dog, cat, or ferret to be spayed or neutered before the Animal Services and Adoption Center releases it back to its owner, with the surgery cost folded into the redemption bill. Section 3-128(d) allows narrow waivers for hardship, farm animals, and government-owned animals.
(c)...In addition, when the animal is impounded, it will be mandatory that it is spayed or neutered prior to leaving the Animal Services and Adoption Center. The cost shall be included in the payment of redemption fees not exceed the actual cost of the procedure.(d)Exemptions and Waivers(1)The mandatory spay/neuter requirement may be waived when the owner is able to provide proof that altering subject animal would create a financial loss and/or materially alter the economic value of the animal. (2) Livestock and/or Farm Animals shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section. (3) Any animals employed or owned by the County and/or Federal or State agencies shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section (4) Medical Exceptions outlined in accordance with Section 3-177.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2026 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Redemption under Section 3-128(a)-(b) already requires paying license fees, fines, and a redemption charge, set at $15 for a first impoundment of an altered animal, $60 for a first impoundment of an unaltered animal, and $100 for any subsequent impoundment within twelve months. Section 3-128(c) layers the mandatory spay/neuter requirement on top of the shelter fees and any required veterinary services set by the Director's tariff under Section 3-106, capping the added surgery charge at the actual cost of the procedure. Section 3-128(d) allows the Administrator to waive the mandate on proof that altering the animal would cause a financial loss or materially reduce its economic value, and exempts livestock and farm animals, animals owned by County, state, or federal government, and animals covered by the medical exceptions in Section 3-177.
The Administrator of Animal Control, within the Department of the Environment, runs the Animal Services and Adoption Center where the procedure and redemption occur, per Section 3-102(c). The provision traces to the original 1985 Animal Control Code (CB-36-1985) and was last amended by CB-46-2019.
Violations & Fines
Section 3-128 is a redemption precondition rather than a separately fined offense: an owner who will not pay the spay/neuter, license, and shelter charges cannot get the animal back. If the fees go unpaid and the animal is never redeemed, Section 3-129 makes it the County's property as an abandoned animal, and Section 3-130 authorizes the Administrator to dispose of it by adoption or euthanasia once the impoundment holding period expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to get my dog fixed to get it back from the shelter?
Can I get out of the mandatory spay/neuter rule?
What if I can't pay the redemption and spay/neuter fees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
Compare Prince George's County to another location·View the Maryland animal ordinances overview
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