Longview, TX Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Default rule
- All dogs/cats must be sterilized
- Opt-out
- Paid intact pet permit required
- Permit trigger age
- 6 months or older
- Max fine
- $500 per offense
- Permit term
- 1, 2, or 3 years
Summary
Longview requires every dog and cat in city limits to be sterilized unless the owner holds a paid intact pet permit.
(a) Sterilization required. Except as expressly provided otherwise in this section, all dogs and cats kept in the city limits must be sterilized. All sterilization procedures shall be administered by a duly licensed veterinarian... (b) Intact pet permit required. An animal that is the subject of a valid intact pet permit is not required to be sterilized.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: June 2026: This code is current through Ordinances 4635 passed 06.25.26).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 13-41 makes sterilization the default for all dogs and cats kept in Longview. Owners who want to keep an intact animal six months or older must buy an intact pet permit, submit photos of the enclosure, and stay current on microchipping and vaccination requirements. Permits run 1-3 years, cost a council-set fee, and can be revoked for a second violation.
Violations & Fines
Owning an unpermitted intact dog or cat six months or older draws a fine up to $500 under Sec. 1-4; the court can waive a first offense if the animal is sterilized within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my pet unsterilized in Longview?
What happens if I don't sterilize or get a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Longview
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Longview to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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