Lexington, KY Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

The ordinance, added by Ord. No. 1, defines an 'adoption agency' as any person or not-for-profit entity that offers ten or more dogs or cats for adoption in a calendar year, or that conducts adoptions within Fayette County. Once that threshold is met, the agency must give each adopter a written list of the animal's medical history and the agency's return policy, and must, at a minimum, spay or neuter, vaccinate for rabies, and microchip with an ID tag every animal before it leaves the agency's custody, providing the adopter documentary proof of compliance on the adoption date.

Agencies must also post a conspicuous sign at every adoption location listing the business name, address, phone number and the person responsible for compliance, and must itemize all adoption fees in writing. If a licensed veterinarian certifies that spaying or neutering is not medically advisable at the time of adoption, the agency and adopter may instead sign a written contract requiring the procedure within four months, with the agency paying the cost and furnishing written proof of payment on the adoption date. Any offering or adoption of an animal that skips these steps is charged as a separate offense, and the Urban County Government's animal control division may seize and impound noncompliant animals at the county shelter, holding them, and transferring title after 30 days, until violations are cured and fines paid.