Columbus, GA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

1(a), an animal picked up by the Columbus Animal Services Division and not under observation for rabies is held five days from impoundment, or five days after the owner is notified, before the animal services director can dispose of it; the hold stretches to ten days if the owner is in jail at the time of impoundment, after which the animal becomes city property. 1(b) governs what happens next for animals headed to adoption rather than reclaimed by an owner: 'Only spayed/neutered animals will be eligible for adoption,' and no unclaimed dog or cat is released from the division's custody for adoption unless it has already been altered.

00 effective July 1, 2025, with the director free to reduce it further to move animals out of the shelter. 00, a four-times price gap meant to nudge owners toward altering pets on their own before the shelter has to. 00 body-disposal fee, both for outside municipal or county agencies and for individual Muscogee County residents who are themselves the animal's owner.