Terrebonne Parish, LA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Terrebonne Parish's mandatory spay/neuter rule is triggered by impoundment rather than applying to every pet owner outright. Under Parish Code § 5-12(d), if an animal is impounded and not already spayed or neutered, and it is redeemed within the legal stray hold period, the owner has two options: pay to have the animal sterilized at the owner's expense for a flat $50 fee, or apply within five days of the impoundment notice for a hearing before the parish's administrative hearing panel to show cause why the animal should not be altered, under the procedures in §§ 5-26 and 5-27.

That panel, created under § 5-26, is made up of the chief administrative officer or a designee, the Chief of the Houma Police Department or a designee, and the director of risk management or a designee, and it can subpoena witnesses, take evidence, and issue a written order after a hearing. A person aggrieved by the panel's decision has five days to seek judicial review in the parish's district court, and must give written notice of intent to appeal within three days or the panel's order takes effect.

Separately, § 5-13(d) requires that every dog or cat adopted directly from the Terrebonne Parish animal shelter be spayed or neutered before release to the adopter, with a signed contract allowed only when a licensed veterinarian says the animal cannot yet undergo surgery. A related but distinct process in Article III lets the panel order the mandatory sterilization of a dog kept as part of the terms of a dangerous-dog release.