Folsom, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Adoption/rescue release
- Must be spayed/neutered first
- Unaltered impound fine #1
- $35
- Unaltered impound fine #2
- $50
- Unaltered impound fine #3+
- $100
- Statute basis
- Food & Ag Code §§30804.7, 31751.7
Summary
Folsom does not mandate that every owned pet be spayed or neutered, but Municipal Code Section 7.10.090 bars the city or any rescue group from releasing a dog or cat for adoption without the animal being spayed or neutered first, and Section 7.10.030 fines the owner of an unaltered dog or cat that gets impounded.
Except as otherwise provided herein or other applicable law, any animal that is impounded pursuant to this title may, after the time for redemption and prior to the euthanasia of that animal, be released to an animal rescue or animal adoption organization if requested by the organization prior to the scheduled euthanasia of that animal. In addition to any required spay or neuter fee, the animal rescue or animal adoption organization may assess a fee for animals adopted or released. No dog or cat shall be released for adoption or rescue without being spayed or neutered.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 1369, passed April 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Folsom's mandatory-alteration rule is narrower than a citywide spay/neuter law: it attaches at two specific points instead of covering every pet in the city. 090 states plainly that "no dog or cat shall be released for adoption or rescue without being spayed or neutered," whether the animal is released directly by the city's animal services department or transferred to an outside rescue or adoption organization that requests it before a scheduled euthanasia; the rescue organization may also charge its own adoption fee on top of any required spay or neuter fee.
7, the city imposes a $35 fine for a first impoundment of an unspayed or unneutered animal, $50 for a second, and $100 for a third or subsequent occurrence, on top of any other impound fees. Those fines apply whether or not the animal is ultimately reclaimed by its owner. Outside adoption releases and impound fines, Folsom's code does not require an owner to spay or neuter a pet that stays home and is never impounded or surrendered. 100 separately allows the city to bypass redemption or adoption altogether and euthanize an animal that is irremediably suffering from serious illness or severe injury, per Food and Agricultural Code Section 17006, regardless of alteration status.
Violations & Fines
An owner whose unaltered dog or cat is impounded owes a $35 fine for a first occurrence, $50 for a second, and $100 for a third or later occurrence within Section 7.10.030's schedule, in addition to standard impound, boarding, and redemption fees. No dog or cat leaving city custody through adoption or rescue may go out unaltered, per Section 7.10.090, regardless of who ultimately places the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Folsom require all pet owners to spay or neuter their animals?
What happens if my unaltered dog gets picked up by animal services?
Can a rescue group adopt out an unaltered animal from Folsom's shelter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Folsom
California rules heatmap·Compare Folsom to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Mandatory Spay/Neuter in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle mandatory spay/neuter.