Washington, DC Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Under the District's animal control law, the Mayor cannot release a female animal over 6 months old for adoption unless she is already spayed and the adopter has paid for it; a female under 6 months may go home unaltered only if the adopter prepays the surgery and has it done before she turns 6 months. The same structure governs males at the 10-month mark, with neutering substituted for spaying. Adopters who later show a private veterinarian performed the surgery get their prepayment refunded. Separately, dog owners who certify their animal as already spayed or neutered pay a reduced $15 annual license fee instead of the standard $50.