McHenry County, IL Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

870(A)(2) escalates the running-at-large rule on a second offense: a dog, cat, or other animal found running at large a second or subsequent time must be spayed or neutered and microchipped within thirty days after being reclaimed, unless it is already fixed and chipped, and failing to comply results in impoundment of the animal. 870(D) covers animals nobody redeems from the county shelter. An unredeemed dog or cat cannot be released for adoption unless it has already been microchipped and spayed or neutered; the only alternative is for the adopter to sign a written agreement promising to have the surgery done within 30 days of taking the animal home.

If that adopter misses the 30-day window, the Administrator or an authorized agent can seize and re-impound the animal, and additional penalties can follow on top of that. Both tracks are enforced by the McHenry County Department of Health's Animal Control Administrator, and the owner or adopter bears the cost of the surgery, the microchip, and any boarding or impound fees charged along the way under the Public Health Fee Ordinance. This chapter governs only the unincorporated county; Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Algonquin, Huntley, Cary, Lake in the Hills, Johnsburg, and the separate City of McHenry enforce their own municipal rules within city limits.