Memphis Animal Services requires all dogs and cats adopted from the city shelter to be sterilized before release, and Chapter 5 mandates sterilization deposits for redemptions of unaltered impounded animals throughout Memphis.
Memphis Code Chapter 5 directs the Public Animal Services Division to spay or neuter every adoptable dog and cat before transfer to a new owner. Animals impounded twice unaltered must be sterilized as a redemption condition, with deposits collected up front and refunded once proof is filed. PASD partners with low-cost spay/neuter clinics across Shelby County to offset costs for income-qualifying residents. Tennessee state law (TCA §44-17-501) backstops the local rule for shelter animals statewide. Hobby breeders with valid PASD permits are exempt from the redemption requirement for actively bred dogs.
Failure to sterilize a redeemed animal forfeits the deposit, triggers Environmental Court citation, and bars the owner from future adoptions until compliance is documented.
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See how Memphis's mandatory spay/neuter rules stack up against other locations.
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