Fort Worth, TX Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Code chapter
- Fort Worth Code Ch. 6
- Sterilization age
- Six months for dogs/cats
- Intact permit
- Annual fee, renewable
- Maximum fine
- Up to $2,000 per animal
- Low-cost clinic
- SPCA, Spay Neuter Network
Summary
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 6 requires dogs and cats over six months old to be spayed or neutered unless the owner obtains an annual intact-animal permit from Animal Care and Control. The rule aims to reduce shelter intake and euthanasia citywide.
Sec. 828.002. REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION. Except as provided by Section 828.013, a releasing agency may not release a dog or cat for adoption unless the animal has been sterilized or the release is made to a new owner who signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized. Sec. 828.003. STERILIZATION AGREEMENT. (a) The sterilization agreement used by a releasing agency must contain:(1) the date of the agreement;(2) the names, addresses, and signatures of the releasing agency and the new owner;(3) a description of the animal to be adopted;(4) the sterilization completion date;
Full Breakdown
Fort Worth adopted mandatory spay-neuter under Chapter 6 to address shelter overcrowding and stray reproduction. Dogs and cats over six months must be sterilized unless the owner secures an intact-animal permit. Permits require owner attestation, proof of breed-club registration, working-dog status, or veterinary documentation that anesthesia poses health risks, plus secure containment and current rabies vaccination. Permits renew yearly with inspection rights. Service animals and dogs under six months are exempt. Animal Care and Control partners with North Texas low-cost spay-neuter clinics, the SPCA of Texas, and Spay Neuter Network to provide subsidized surgery for income-qualified residents in Tarrant County.
Violations & Fines
Owning an unsterilized cat or dog over six months without an intact permit triggers Class C misdemeanor citations and fines up to two thousand dollars per animal. Repeat offenses or breeding without a permit can lead to forfeiture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for an intact-animal permit?
Does Fort Worth help with spay-neuter costs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Worth
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Fort Worth to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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Mandatory Spay/Neuter in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle mandatory spay/neuter.