Richmond, VA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Section 4-307 makes it unlawful to own, harbor or keep an unspayed or unneutered dog or cat over six months old in the City without a breeding permit from the Department, regardless of whether the owner intends to breed the animal. 00 per animal, and a separate permit is required for every animal allowed to breed. Permit holders may whelp only one litter per animal per year, though the Director can authorize a one-time second litter for medical or economic hardship, or a replacement litter if a prior litter had to be euthanized for medical reasons.

Section 4-307(e) exempts law-enforcement and rescue dogs, documented guide, signal or service dogs, animals a licensed veterinarian certifies as unsuitable for sterilization, animals in the care of government agencies or rescue groups running an ongoing spay/neuter program, and dogs enrolled in a licensed service-dog breeding program. Offspring cannot be sold, adopted or transferred before seven weeks of age or before immunization, and any advertisement or sale must display the seller's breeding permit number. Separately, Section 4-244(d) lets a General District Court judge order the owner of an unsterilized dog or cat to have it surgically sterilized within 60 days after a conviction for failing to control a public nuisance animal, with proof of the surgery due to the Department within seven days.

Section 4-56 requires the City animal shelter itself to spay or neuter every dog and cat before releasing it for adoption, once it is old or large enough for the procedure and the adoption fee under Section 4-57 has been paid.