Marysville, California

8.12.400 Spay or neuter deposit.

(a)    Sections 30503, 30520 and 31751.3 of the Food and Agricultural Code prohibits an animal shelter to sell or give away any dog or cat to a new owner unless it has been spayed or neutered.

(b)    If a licensed veterinarian certifies a dog or cat is too sick or injured to be spayed or neutered, or that it would be otherwise detrimental to the health of the dog or cat to be spayed or neutered, the adopter or purchaser shall pay the animal shelter a deposit not less than forty dollars and not more than seventy-five dollars in accordance to the Food and Agricultural Code.

(c)    Such a deposit is temporary, and shall only be retained until the dog or cat is healthy enough to be spayed or neutered as certified by a licensed veterinarian.

(d)    The dog or cat shall be spayed or neutered within fourteen business days of the veterinarian’s certification. If the adopter or purchaser provides written proof to the animal control officer of the spaying or neutering within thirty business days of obtaining such proof, the deposit shall be refunded in full.

(e)    Pursuant to Sections 30523 and 31763 of the Food and Agricultural Code, any person who fails to have a dog or cat spayed or neutered as required is subject to a civil penalty.