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

190, titled 'Required alteration,' targets repeat offenders rather than every dog owner in the city: it applies only to a dog that has previously been redeemed from the animal care services center after being impounded for running at large and is then impounded for being at large a second time. Before that second or any later redemption, the dog must be spayed or neutered at the owner's expense. The animal care services manager retains discretion to waive the requirement where extenuating circumstances justify it. If the manager determines that alteration is required, the manager must notify the owner in writing and inform the owner of the right to appeal.

An owner who disagrees can file a notice of appeal with the animal care services manager before the date set in the written notice, triggering review by a hearing officer appointed by the city manager, who may be a city employee. The hearing is informal, and the hearing officer decides both whether the manager correctly determined the alteration requirement applies and whether extenuating circumstances justify waiving either the alteration itself or the requirement that the owner pay for it. The hearing officer's decision is final, with no further administrative appeal built into the section. 200), so a repeat at-large dog owner can face redemption fees, capture fees, and this alteration mandate together before regaining custody of the animal.