Alamogordo, New Mexico

7-02-020. – Licensing.

(a) No person shall own, keep or harbor any dog or cat within the city unless the dog or cat is licensed (pet shops and commercial kennels exempted). Written application for the license shall be made to the animal shelter and shall state the name and address of the owner and the name, breed, color and sex of the dog or cat. The license fee shall be paid to the animal shelter (or the city’s designee) upon the owner’s furnishing a current certificate evidencing the rabies vaccination of the dog or cat.

(b) The yearly license fee for each dog or cat which is neutered or spayed or under six (6) months of age is five dollars ($5.00) and for any other dog or cat is twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

7-03-025. – Sterilization.

Every dog and cat adopted or reclaimed from the city animal control center shall be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian at the expense of the adopting party/owner. In addition to any other lawful fees due, any person reclaiming, adopting, or buying a dog or cat from the city shall pay a sterilization fee equivalent to the city’s actual cost for the sterilization, plus a five (5) percent administrative fee for the sterilization service. An animal control officer shall transport the animal to a licensed veterinarian of the adopting party/owners choosing on the next business day for the sterilization procedure. An owner reclaiming their own animal that is of pure breed can purchase a one time “intact” license if the animal is registered through a nationally recognized breeder’s foundation. The animal will be returned to the owner upon presentation of the proper registration certificate and the purchase of the “intact” license and a sworn statement from the city establishing the owner as a hobby breeder. A hold can be placed on the animal up to five (5) days for the owner to acquire the proper registration certificate.

The “intact” license will only be valid for the first offense. If the animal returns to the city animal control center a second time the “intact” license will no longer be valid and the animal will have to be sterilized in accordance with this section. If the animal is deemed to young for sterilization, a “to small” agreement shall be drawn up and all fees associated with the sterilization will be paid by the adopting party/owner to have the animal sterilized at an appropriate date. The animal control center will contact a licensed veterinarian of the adopting party/owners choosing and set a date for the sterilization procedure to occur.

Exemptions.

Rescues with a valid 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status are exempt from the licensing and fee provisions of this article.

ARTICLE 7-04. – ANIMAL SALES

7-04-010. – Licensing.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to offer dogs or cats for sale for profit or as a hobby within the city unless such person, firm or corporation shall have first obtained from the city clerk a license therefore as provided in this article.

(b) The fee for a license to sell a single litter of dogs or cats within a year shall be fifty dollars ($50.00). The fee for a license to sell more than a single litter of dogs or cats within a year shall be one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).

(c) All licenses expire on the first day of January of each year.

(d) The license application shall contain the following information at a minimum:

(1) Name of applicant;

(2) Address of applicant;

(3) Telephone number of applicant;

(4) The proposed location from which the animals will be sold;

(5) The clerk may require such other information as is deemed necessary in order to determine whether to approve or deny a license under this article.

Exemptions.

Rescues with a valid 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status are exempt from the licensing and fee provisions of this article.

7-04-020. – Requirements.

Every licensee will comply with each of the following conditions:

(1) Every dog or cat offered for sale must be examined by a veterinarian and be certified free of congenital defects, distemper, worms, skin disease, skin and ear mites and other diseases or conditions which would be injurious to the animal or a potential owner.

(2) Every dog or cat offered for sale will have been vaccinated against distemper by a veterinarian. A certificate providing the name of the veterinarian and the date of treatment must be provided to the purchaser at the time of sale.

(3) No dog or cat will be transported by a licensee unless housed in a container designed for that purpose including provisions for adequate ventilation and food and water.

(4) No licensee will allow the whelping of more than one (1) litter per female dog or cat during the license term.

7-04-030. – Exemptions.

Rescues with a valid 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status are exempt from the licensing and fee provisions of this article.