San Bernardino County requires dogs and cats adopted or reclaimed from county shelters to be spayed or neutered before release. Owners present a deposit refunded once veterinary verification is submitted, encouraging compliance among redeeming owners.
Title 3 of the County Code authorizes Animal Care to require sterilization of shelter animals. The Devore shelter performs in-house surgeries or arranges vouchers with partner clinics. Reclaim deposits are returned upon receipt of a signed veterinary form within a set window, often thirty days. Working dogs, registered breeders, and medically exempt animals may obtain breeder permits or veterinary waivers. The policy reduces shelter intake and supports the no-kill goal across the largest US county by area.
Forfeiture of sterilization deposit, escalating fines for non-compliance, and possible loss of license. Continued violations may trigger animal seizure or denial of future adoption applications.
See how San Bernardino's mandatory spay/neuter rules stack up against other locations.
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