Kern County, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Mandatory spay/neuter
- Not required in unincorporated Kern County
- Unaltered dog license
- $60 one year, $120 three years
- Altered dog license
- $15 one year, $30 three years
- Shelter adoptions
- Sterilization required by state law
Summary
Unincorporated Kern County does not mandate spaying or neutering of pets. Owners of unaltered dogs instead pay higher license fees ($60 per year versus $15 for altered dogs), and California law requires shelters and rescues to sterilize dogs before adoption.
Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), no public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group shall sell or give away to a new owner any dog that has not been spayed or neutered.
Full Breakdown
The Kern County Animal Services Commission recommended a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance in 2023, but the Board of Supervisors has not adopted it, so sterilization remains voluntary for privately owned pets. The county instead uses fee incentives: an altered dog license costs $15 for one year or $30 for three years, while an unaltered dog license costs $60 for one year or $120 for three years. The statewide default still applies -- under Food and Agricultural Code section 30503, shelters, humane societies, and rescue groups may not sell or give away any dog that has not been spayed or neutered, with a deposit exception when a veterinarian certifies the dog is too sick or injured for surgery.
Violations & Fines
There is no penalty for keeping an unaltered pet with a current license. Keeping an unlicensed dog over four months of age violates Kern County Code chapter 7.08 and can result in citations from Kern County Animal Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is spaying or neutering required in unincorporated Kern County?
How much more does an unaltered dog license cost?
Do shelter dogs have to be sterilized?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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