Otero County, NM Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Section 105-7B states sterilization is required for dogs and cats over six months of age unless the owner holds an intact permit or medical waiver, and that any dog or cat reclaimed, adopted or rescued from the Otero County animal control shelter must be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian at the responsible party's expense, or the owner must obtain an intact animal permit instead. Section 105-7C backs the mandate with money: no animal leaves the shelter without a signed sterilization agreement and a paid sterilization deposit, set annually by Board of County Commissioners resolution; animals under six months are released on payment of the adoption fee and deposit plus a signed promise to sterilize by six months, while unsterilized adults over six months require a signed promise to sterilize within 30 days of adoption.

An owner reclaiming an unsterilized animal instead pays the sterilization deposit and impound fees and signs an agreement to sterilize within 30 days or obtain a breeder permit; the deposit is refunded only on presentation of a veterinarian's receipt proving the surgery was done. Section 105-10A makes an intact-animal permit valid for one year from issue, automatically revoked if the animal is impounded a second time, after which the permit holder must pay the shelter to alter the animal. Section 105-10C allows a veterinarian to issue a medical waiver certificate when age or illness makes alteration dangerous, stating when the animal can safely be sterilized later, and the certificate must include the animal's permanent identification number.