Montgomery County, VA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadline
- sterilize within 30 days of adoption
- Penalty
- up to $250 civil fine (Sec 3-28.1)
- Confirmation penalty
- up to $150 (Sec 3-28.3)
- Adoption fee cap
- $100, includes spay/neuter (Sec 3-28.2)
- Applies to
- animals adopted from a releasing agency only
Summary
County Code § 3-28.1 requires every new owner who adopts a dog or cat from a releasing agency, including the county shelter, to have it sterilized within 30 days of adoption, or within 30 days after it turns six months old if it was not yet sexually mature. Breaking the sterilization or agreement rules carries a civil penalty.
Every new owner of a dog or cat adopted from a releasing agency shall cause to be sterilized the dog or cat pursuant to the agreement required by subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section. ... The individual adopting the animal signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized by a licensed veterinarian (i) within thirty (30) days of the adoption, if the animal is sexually mature, or (ii) within thirty (30) days after the animal reaches six (6) months of age, if the animal is not sexually mature at the time of adoption and prepay the fee for spay and neutering at the time of adoption. ... Any person who violates subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
Full Breakdown
1 applies only to dogs and cats adopted from a releasing agency, defined by Sec 3-1 as the county animal shelter or a private shelter, humane society, rescue or similar entity. A releasing agency may not release an animal for adoption unless it is already sterilized or the adopter signs an agreement to have it sterilized by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of adoption (if sexually mature) or within 30 days after the animal turns six months old (if not), prepaying the spay/neuter fee at adoption.
1(c) lets the agency grant a 30-day extension on a veterinarian's written report that sterilization would jeopardize the animal's life or health, with further extensions negotiable in extenuating circumstances. 2 requires the written agreement to name the parties, describe the animal, set the sterilization deadline, and cap the prepaid adoption fee at $100, which must include the spay/neuter fee plus preventive care and vaccinations. 3 requires the new owner to deliver veterinary confirmation of the completed sterilization to the releasing agency within seven days of the procedure.
5 exempts an owner reclaiming his or her own animal, agencies with a more stringent local sterilization ordinance, and certain governmental transfers. 7 go to the county treasury to fund local animal control, including sterilization promotion.
Violations & Fines
A new owner who violates the sterilization or written-agreement requirement faces a civil penalty of up to $250 under Sec 3-28.1(f). Failing to deliver veterinary confirmation of sterilization within seven days adds a separate civil penalty of up to $150 under Sec 3-28.3, and failing to notify the releasing agency within seven days that an unsterilized adopted animal was lost, stolen, or died carries a civil penalty of up to $25 under Sec 3-28.4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Montgomery County require all pets to be spayed or neutered?
What if my adopted pet can't be sterilized on time for health reasons?
What's the penalty for not following through on sterilization?
What does the adoption fee cover?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Virginia animal ordinances overview
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