Bernalillo County, NM Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Litter permit sterilization
- Required within 120 days
- Reclaimed unsterilized stray
- Sterilize within 60 days
- 2nd at-large offense
- Sterilize within 30 days
- Enforcing agency
- Animal Care Services Department
- Max penalty
- $300 fine, 90 days jail
Summary
Bernalillo County doesn't require spay/neuter for every pet, but litter and intact-animal permits do: unsterilized litters must be fixed within 120 days, and stray dogs or cats impounded twice must be sterilized within 30 days of the second offense.
The owner of an intact female dog or cat bred intentionally or unintentionally that does not possess a breeder permit is required to obtain a litter permit for each litter. Subsequent to the issuance of a litter permit, the permitted animal shall be sterilized within 120 days of the issuance of the litter permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 6 of the county code ties sterilization to specific triggers rather than a blanket mandate. An owner of an intact dog or cat that has a litter without a breeder permit must get a litter permit, and the animal must be sterilized within 120 days of that permit's issuance (Sec. 6-39C). Separately, an owner reclaiming a stray unsterilized dog or cat must sterilize it within 60 days or hold an intact animal permit (Sec. 6-39F), and any animal caught running at large twice must be sterilized within 30 days of the second offense. This applies only in unincorporated Bernalillo County; Albuquerque runs its own animal ordinance and shelter system.
Violations & Fines
Missing a permit's sterilization deadline violates the terms of the litter, breeder, or intact-animal permit and is punishable under the Code's general penalty: up to a $300 fine, 90 days in jail, or both, per Sec. 6-70 and Sec. 1-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bernalillo County require all pets to be spayed or neutered?
Does this rule apply if I live in Albuquerque?
What happens if I miss the sterilization deadline?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico animal ordinances overview
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