Clayton County, GA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Sec. 14-300 sets the county's policy of preventing further breeding among animals adopted out of shelters, and Sec. 14-302(a) puts the sterilization duty on the shelter, agency, humane society or animal refuge: it must either have a licensed veterinarian sterilize the dog or cat before releasing it, or get a written agreement from the adopter guaranteeing sterilization within 30 days of acquiring an adult animal, or within 30 days of a young animal reaching sexual maturity at six months old. Whichever way it happens, the adopting person pays for it, and if the deal is a payment agreement instead of upfront sterilization, the adopter posts a "sterilization bond" at the time of adoption, capped at the highest fee any participating veterinarian charges (Sec.

14-302(b)(1)-(2)). A vet who performs the surgery redeems the bond by completing a written statement; presenting proof of sterilization to the county's animal control unit commander lets the adopter get back any remaining bond amount (14-302(b)(3)-(4)). The bond has a fixed due date, and if it isn't redeemed, it is forfeited to Clayton County animal control (14-302(b)(5)). Owners are excused only in specific documented circumstances: the animal dies before the due date (proven by affidavit, surrendered remains, or a vet's statement), is stolen (with a police report filed before the due date), or cannot be sterilized for a medical reason certified in writing by a veterinarian (Sec.

14-302(e)-(h)). Missing the paperwork deadline in any of those situations, or simply missing the sterilization due date altogether, is the "offense of failure to sterilize" (14-302(h)-(i)), punished as a misdemeanor under Sec. 14-303.