Paramount, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

The City of Paramount's sterilization rule binds the animal shelter, not private owners. Section 6.32.010 of the Municipal Code prohibits the shelter from selling or giving away any female cat more than six months of age that has not been spayed, or any male cat of more than six months of age that has not been altered. For a cat less than six months of age, the shelter cannot sell or give it away unless the cost of spaying or altering has been deposited in trust with the Director for payment to a veterinarian or spaying or altering clinic designated by the person purchasing or receiving the cat. The deposit is refunded to the owner upon proof of sterilization. The section names cats only and does not mention dogs.

Section 6.08.070 supports the rule with a public clinic. The Director of Animal Care and Control is authorized to establish a clinic where members of the public can have dogs and cats spayed or neutered in a humane manner upon payment of fees established by the Director. A person submitting an animal signs a consent form certifying under penalty of perjury that he or she is the owner or is otherwise authorized to represent the animal, and can be required to furnish proof. The consent contains a waiver of liability of the City, the Department of Animal Care and Control and its employees for injury or death arising from the operation. The Department sets a return date; a reasonable board and care fee starts the day after that date, and failure to pick up the animal within 15 days of the return date is deemed abandonment, after which the Director can dispose of the animal by sale or destruction.

Breeding is handled through permits rather than sterilization. Section 6.36.010 bars keeping a dog or cat mainly for breeding except on properly zoned property in an approved kennel, requires a cat or dog breeding permit from the Director with a fee set by the Director, and treats a kitten or puppy sold from a litter for a profit over the cost of advertising as prima facie evidence of breeding. Subsection (E) states that no one shall engage in the whelping, giving birth, or sale of puppies within a permitted kennel.