Troy, NY Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Troy City Code § 124-19(C) and (G)
- Altered dog license
- $15 per year for each spayed or neutered dog
- Unaltered dog license
- $20 per year for each unspayed or unneutered dog
- Shelter adoptions
- No release of a dog or cat unless spayed or neutered
- Exceptions
- Veterinarian certifies danger to life; breed ring or champion registry proof
- Dangerous dogs
- Spay/neuter required under § 124-9(B)(8)
Summary
In the City of Troy, New York, § 124-19 of the City Code charges $15 for a spayed or neutered dog license and $20 for an unaltered dog, and bars contract shelters and humane societies from releasing a dog or cat for adoption unless it has been spayed or neutered. Owners of dangerous dogs must also spay/neuter under § 124-9(B)(8).
C. In the absence of licensing fees formerly prescribed by New York State Article 7 § 110 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, the annual "local" fee for each dog license issued in the City of Troy shall be: (1) For each spayed or neutered dog: $15 ($1 applied to New York State Animal Population Control Fund surcharge). (2) For each unspayed or unneutered dog: $20 ($3 applied to New York State Animal Population Control Fund surcharge). ... G. All shelters and/or veterinary clinics under contract with the City of Troy must: ... (2) Pursuant to §§ 117-a and 377-a of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law: (a) No animal shelter, dog control officer or humane society organization may release a dog or cat for adoption unless the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered. (b) Exceptions shall be made if: [1] The veterinarian certifies the spay/neuter procedure would endanger the life of the animal. [2] The dog owner provides proof that the dog has a recent breed ring show record or has completed registry requirements for the title of champion or its equivalent.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 124 of the Code of the City of Troy, adopted by the Troy City Council for the City of Troy in Rensselaer County, New York, ties spaying and neutering to three things: the dog license fee, shelter adoptions and dangerous-dog ownership.
License fee. Under § 124-19(C), the annual local fee is $15 for each spayed or neutered dog and $20 for each unspayed or unneutered dog. The printed amounts include a surcharge to the New York State Animal Population Control Fund: $1 for altered dogs and $3 for unaltered dogs. Senior citizens living in the City pay $7.50, with the same $1 and $3 surcharge split. The City Clerk's Office issues a regular license for altered and unaltered dogs, plus an exempt license for guide and service dogs.
Shelter release. Section 124-19(G) puts obligations on every shelter and veterinary clinic under contract with the City. Under § 124-19(G)(1) a dog license must be issued by the Troy City Clerk's office before a dog is released from the facility into the City limits. Citing §§ 117-a and 377-a of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, § 124-19(G)(2)(a) says no animal shelter, dog control officer or humane society organization is allowed to release a dog or cat for adoption unless the animal has been spayed or neutered. Two exceptions are printed: a veterinarian certifies the procedure would endanger the life of the animal, or the dog owner provides proof that the dog has a recent breed ring show record or has completed registry requirements for the title of champion or its equivalent.
Dangerous dogs. Section 124-9(B)(8) requires anyone owning, harboring or having care or custody of a dangerous dog to spay/neuter the dog and have it microchipped at the owner's expense. That duty is separate from § 124-19 and carries the § 124-9(D) penalty.
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 124-9(B)(8) carries a mandatory fine of no less than $500 and no more than $1,000 and/or a minimum of 30 days in jail. For other sections of Article II, § 124-18 prints a mandatory fine of $100 or imprisonment for not more than 25 days, with each separate offense adding an incremental $50 fine. Section 124-19(G)(1) also bars a contract shelter or clinic from releasing a dog into Troy before the City Clerk's office has issued a license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Troy, New York require me to spay or neuter my pet dog?
Can I adopt an unaltered dog from a shelter that serves Troy?
What are the exceptions to the spay/neuter adoption rule?
How much cheaper is a Troy dog license if the dog is fixed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Troy
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