Hanford, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Except as otherwise provided herein, any dog or cat sold, given away or released by the animal shelter or city designee shall be spayed or neutered in accordance with Food and Agricultural Code Section 30503, as may be amended. Male and female animals shall be at least two months of age and have a weight of at least two pounds. An extension of time to perform surgery may be granted by the animal shelter if a veterinarian provides a medical determination that the surgery cannot be performed as scheduled and must be postponed. The facility performing the surgery may spay or neuter an animal weighing less than two pounds if by their determination it is safe to perform said surgery. The city, the animal shelter, or the city's designee may release an un-spayed or unneutered animal if the party receiving the animal possesses or obtains a breeder's permit and pays the required fees, including, without limitation, the cost of boarding, licensing (in the case of a dog), state fees. (Ord. 20-05 § 1, 2020)