Union County, NC Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Sec. 6-156(a) requires anyone adopting a dog or cat from the animal shelter to enter into an adoption contract requiring the animal to be spayed or neutered. Adopting parties pay an adoption fee set by the county manager but no boarding or redemption fees, and receive a redeemable coupon good for services at "any participating county veterinarian" at no extra charge. Services are split into two phases: Phase I, a routine physical exam and routine worming, expires 15 business days from the adoption date; Phase II, the mandatory routine spay or neuter, expires six months from adoption and must be secured within 30 days of the adoption contract or by the time the animal turns six months old, whichever period is longer.

Subsection (b) has the animal shelter process veterinarian payment upon a completed, signed adoption medical contract. Subsection (c) requires adopters, at their own expense, to have age-appropriate animals vaccinated for rabies and to submit proof to the participating veterinarian. Subsection (d) charges an adopter the Phase I fee only if the surrendered animal is already known to be spayed or neutered. Sec. 6-157 backs the contract with an exchange guarantee: the county will exchange an adopted animal that needs major medical treatment (certified by a veterinarian) or dies of natural causes within 30 days, provided the adopter documents the death or illness and brings a second animal to a licensed veterinarian within 15 working days of the new contract.