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Lawrence, MA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Adoption deposit
$35.00, due at adoption
Sterilization refund
$25.00 back with proof
Scope
Applies to shelter-adopted animals only
Unneutered/unspayed license fee
$50.00 per year
Neutered/spayed license fee
$15.00 per year
Fee waiver ages
Dog 12+ or owner 65+

Summary

Lawrence's animal shelter cannot release an unclaimed dog or cat for adoption without either proof of sterilization or the adopter's written promise to sterilize it. Adopters put down a $35.00 deposit, refunded $25.00 once they show proof the animal was spayed or neutered. The city's dog-license fees separately reward owners who sterilize licensed pets year-round.

No unclaimed dog shall be released for adoption without being sterilized or without written agreement from the adopter guaranteeing that such animal will be sterilized and a deposit of at least $35.00 must be paid at the time of adoption, $25.00 to be refunded after proof of sterilization.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 8).

Full Breakdown

080, keeping an account of adoption fees and paying them over to the city treasurer. 090. 060(A) lets an owner document sterilization with a veterinarian's certificate, a signed statement under penalty of perjury, or a copy of the veterinary bill to claim the lower fee. 060(B) through (D).

Violations & Fines

There's no separate penalty clause for skipping the sterilization deposit beyond the adoption contract itself, since the animal control officer controls release of the animal. General chapter penalties still apply to the adoption relationship: violations of Chapter 6.04 are fined $10.00 to $200.00 per § 6.04.280, and an owner found in violation can have any animal license or permit revoked outright, with no new one issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lawrence require all pets to be spayed or neutered?
No. Only animals adopted from the city's shelter process must be sterilized or covered by the adopter's written sterilization agreement, under § 6.04.090. Dogs and cats already owned by Lawrence residents outside that adoption process are not required by this chapter to be sterilized, though licensing fees are lower for sterilized dogs.
How much is the adoption sterilization deposit?
$35.00 at the time of adoption. The animal control officer refunds $25.00 of that once the adopter shows proof the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered, per § 6.04.090. The remaining $10.00 is not returned.
Does sterilizing my dog lower my license fee?
Yes. A spayed or neutered dog is licensed for $15.00 a year instead of $50.00, under § 6.04.060(A). You can prove sterilization with a veterinarian's certificate, a signed statement under penalty of perjury, or a copy of the vet's bill for the procedure.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lawrence

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All Lawrence rules

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