Nassau County, FL Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Animals adopted from county animal control only
- Adult dogs/cats
- Must be sterilized before adoption release
- Puppies/kittens
- Written sterilization pledge plus $100 deposit
- Deposit refund
- On proof of sterilization by set date
- Citation
- Nassau County Code § 6-59
Summary
Nassau County does not require every owned pet to be spayed or neutered, but Code Section 6-59 makes sterilization mandatory before an animal leaves the county's animal control facility. Adult dogs and cats must already be sterilized to be adopted, and adopters of puppies and kittens must sign a written pledge to sterilize by a set date, backed by a $100 deposit per animal.
No unclaimed adult dog or cat shall be released for adoption without being sterilized. No pups or kittens shall be released for adoption without the written agreement signed by the adopter guaranteeing sterilization by a specified date. A deposit of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each pup or kitten must be paid at the time of adoption and will be repaid upon presentation of proof of sterilization.
Full Breakdown
The rule sits narrowly inside the adoption process rather than as a general ownership mandate: private sales, gifts, or keeping an already-owned unaltered dog or cat remain lawful in the county. Section 6-59 requires that no unclaimed adult dog or cat be released for adoption unless it is already sterilized, and that no pup or kitten leave animal control for adoption without the adopter's written agreement guaranteeing sterilization by a specified date, with a $100 deposit per animal collected up front and repaid once proof of sterilization is presented.
' The county retains the right to regain title, possession and control of the adopted animal until a veterinarian certifies that the required vaccinations and surgical sterilization have been completed, and will pick the animal up if that certification is never provided. Owners reclaiming their own lost animal from the shelter, rather than adopting a new one, are exempted from the sterilization condition under Section 6-62(b) if they can show sufficient proof of ownership.
Violations & Fines
If an adopter never presents proof of sterilization by the date in the signed agreement, the county can enforce the underlying adoption contract, since it retains legal title to the animal until sterilization and vaccination are certified, and animal control is authorized to pick the animal back up. The $100 deposit collected at adoption is not repaid unless proof of sterilization is provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nassau County require all pets to be spayed or neutered?
What if I adopt a kitten too young to be sterilized?
Can the county take back an adopted pet?
Do I have to sterilize a lost pet I reclaim from the shelter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nassau County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Nassau County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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