Hempstead, NY Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

1, added by Local Law No. " Three categories of exemption apply. First, a licensed veterinarian may certify that sterilization would endanger the animal's life for a medical reason, but youth alone is not a qualifying reason once the animal is at least eight weeks old. Second, for dogs, an owner can avoid the mandate by showing a breed ring record from the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club or similar registry dated within 12 months, a completed Championship title, certification as a guide, hearing, service, therapy or law-enforcement work dog, or, for a dog under 12 months, a qualifying parent's lineage.

Third, cats get a parallel carve-out for a Cat Fanciers' Association or similar breed show record within 12 months, a Champion or Grand Champion title, or, for a cat under 12 months, qualifying lineage. This is a release condition tied to the Animal Shelter and Control Division, not a blanket mandate that every pet owner in the Town sterilize an animal they already own outside the shelter system. It works alongside the Division's separate adoption rules in § 152-7, which already require spay/neuter certification or a signed 30-day sterilization agreement before an adopted animal leaves the shelter.