St. Tammany Parish, LA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 10-671, Spay and neuter of cats and dogs
- Kitten/puppy exemption
- 26 weeks (cats), 52 weeks (dogs)
- Waiver cost
- No fee from Dept. of Animal Services
- First offense fine
- $25.00 (waivered) or $75.00 (unwaivered)
- Second offense
- $150 fine plus mandatory sterilization
Summary
St. Tammany Parish Code Sec. 10-671 bars owning, keeping or harboring an intact cat or dog anywhere in the parish unless the department of animal services has issued a no-fee waiver. Kittens 26 weeks and younger and puppies 52 weeks and younger are exempt outright. An intact animal impounded for another violation triggers escalating fines, from $25.00 up to mandatory sterilization on a second offense.
(c)Except as provided in subsection (d) below, no person may own, keep, reside with or harbor a cat or dog within the parish that has not been spayed or neutered.(d)Waiver.(1)These provisions shall not apply to any kittens 26 weeks or younger or any puppies 52 weeks or younger.(2)Any pet owner may obtain a no-fee intact waiver of the provisions of this section from the department of animal services...(e)Enforcement...(1)First offense. The owner of any fertile cat or dog impounded by the department of animal services for a first-time offense...may pay a fine of $25.00 in lieu of the spay and neuter requirements if the animal has received an intact waiver. If the animal has not received an intact waiver, the pet owner shall obtain an intact waiver and pay a fine of $75.00...(2)Second offense. Any fertile cat or dog impounded...for a second violation...will have its intact permit revoked, shall be spayed or neutered prior to the animal's release, and shall pay a fine of $150.00.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 10-671 makes it unlawful to own, keep, reside with or harbor a cat or dog in the parish that has not been spayed or neutered, subject only to the age exemption and the waiver process in subsection (d). A pet owner gets the waiver at no charge from the department of animal services by presenting proof of current rabies vaccination, a parish license, and microchip identification showing the current owner. The waiver is not permanent: Sec. 10-671(d)(2)b lets the department repeal it once the animal has been impounded more than one time.
Enforcement is tied to impoundment for a separate violation, specifically an intact cat or dog picked up under Sec. 10-644 (state-governed offenses), 10-647 (at-large), 10-648 (licensing), 10-650, 10-658, 10-659 or 10-664. 00 in lieu of sterilization. 00 fine. Sec. 10-671(e)(3) directs every fine collected under the section into the parish's spay and neuter subsidy program, which funds reduced-cost sterilization for other owners.
Violations & Fines
A first offense lets an owner pay $25.00 (with an existing waiver) or $75.00 (without one, plus obtaining the waiver) instead of sterilizing the animal. A second offense revokes the intact waiver, requires spay or neuter before release from the department of animal services, and carries a flat $150.00 fine, with all proceeds earmarked for the parish's spay and neuter subsidy program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to spay or neuter every pet in St. Tammany Parish?
How do I get the intact waiver?
What happens the second time my intact pet is picked up?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Tammany Parish
Compare St. Tammany Parish to another location·View the Louisiana animal ordinances overview
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