Hobbs, New Mexico

6.04.090 – Impounding animals.

E. The owner shall be required to abide by one of the following in order to reclaim any unsterilized dog or cat:

1. An unsterilized dog or cat reclaimed by its owner shall be released upon presentment of a valid hobby breeder permit plus payment of impound fees, boarding fees and other costs imposed by the City; or

2. An unsterilized dog or cat reclaimed by its owner shall be released upon entering into a sterilization contract and payment of the sterilization fee plus payment of impound fees, boarding fees and other costs imposed by the City.

3. Sterilization fee will be refunded to the owner of any dog or cat that is sterilized by a licensed veterinarian, other than the veterinarian contracted with the City, within thirty (30) days after release. To obtain a refund the owner must provide a written certificate from the licensed veterinarian stating the animal has been neutered or spayed containing sufficient description to match reclaimed animal.

4. Canine hybrid will not be released unsterilized.

[…]

F. A sterilized dog with current rabies vaccination, current City license, and a microchip may be reclaimed without owner being cited for running at large once each calendar year. Owner shall be responsible for impound and boarding fees.

6.04.160 – Litter permit.

A. An owner who intentionally or unintentionally breeds a dog or cat and who does not have a current shelter-refuge-professional animal permit or hobby breeder permit shall purchase a litter permit for each litter. A female dog or cat shall have no more than one (1) litter and each household shall be limited to no more than four (4) litters in any calendar year. A litter permit will not be issued and owner will be in violation of this section, if found to have had a female dog or cat with more than one (1) litter or more than four (4) litters in the household in a calendar year.

B. The litter permit application shall contain the following information at a minimum:

1. Name of applicant.

2. Address of applicant.

3. Telephone number of applicant.

4. Description and picture of female animal.

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

C. Litter permit is good for six (6) months from date of issue and must be obtained no later than one (1) week after the birth of the litter.

D. The owner shall not advertise, barter for, sell, or give away any puppy or kitten unless the applicable permit number is displayed legibly in all advertisements. The owner shall furnish the litter permit number to any potential recipient upon request. Failure to list permit number or advertising without prior purchase of permit is a violation of this section.

E. Puppies and kittens can only be bartered for, sold, given away or other transfer or conveyance from the applicant’s address as listed on the litter permit. Puppies or kittens being bartered for, sold, given away or other transfer or conveyance on public or commercial property even with the property owner’s permission are in violation of this title.

F. Every dog or cat offered for sale, barter, given away, adopted or any other transfer or conveyance will have been given age appropriate vaccinations by a veterinarian. A certificate providing the name of the veterinarian and the date of treatment must be provided to the recipient at the time of transfer.

6.04.170 – Reduced cost spay and neuter program.

The City of Hobbs has a targeted dog or cat spay and neuter program aimed at assisting those citizens most in need: the elderly, disabled, or very low income.

A. Participants must meet one of following requirements (income information is subject to verification):

1. Persons sixty-five (65) or older; or

2. Disabled persons (qualify for Social Security disability income payments); or

3. Persons that meet the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

B. Cost to participants required pursuant to this section shall be established and adopted through resolution adopted by the Commission.

C. Spay and neuter program includes the surgery, vaccinations (FVRCP and Rabies/cat or DHLPP and Rabies/dog), one (1) night’s hospitalization, and return visit for suture removal, if needed.

D. There shall be a charge to participants who fail to keep an appointment or do not provide four (4) business days notice to cancel an appointment. This charge shall be established and adopted through resolution.

E. Minimum age of dog or cat at time of surgery is three (3) months.

F. Dogs must be restrained on a leash and cats must be in a carrier upon arrival at the Hobbs Animal Adoption Center.

G. If the animal needs to be treated for flea and tick infestation prior to surgery, the additional days of care will be charged the “boarding fee” rate.

H. City Manager reserves the right to postpone surgery or refuse to perform surgery if the animal is not healthy enough to undergo surgery.

6.04.180 – Discount spay or neuter certificates.

A. Animal Protection Department shall make available to citizens of Hobbs a certificate to spay or neuter one (1) cat or dog which may be used at any veterinary clinic accepting such certificate.

B. Certificate shall be limited to one (1) per household per year based on annual funding.

C. Certificate shall expire sixty (60) days after issue and shall not be renewed.

D. Proof of City residency is required. Acceptable proof includes, but is not limited to:

1. Current utility bill showing service address within Hobbs city limits.

2. Voter registration card showing Hobbs address.

3. Written statement from a City Commissioner verifying residency within their district.

E. Proof of current rabies vaccination and valid city license is required for dog or cat to be sterilized.

F. Certificate holder is responsible for contacting veterinary clinic to arrange for surgery.

G. Certificate holder is liable to veterinary clinic for all charges and services in excess of face value of certificate.

6.04.190 – Adoption of dogs and cats.

A. No dog or cat over the age of three (3) months shall be adopted to a forever home unless it has been spayed or neutered.

B. Persons adopting a dog or cat under three (3) months of age shall sign an agreement to return the animal to the adoption center at a set date for sterilization or before date for sterilization, provide proof the animal has been sterilized by a licensed veterinarian. Proof must include a picture and clearly describe the animal.

C. Failure to return animal for sterilization at the adoption center or to provide proof animal has been sterilized is a violation of this chapter.

6.04.460 – Sterilization agreements/contracts.

It shall be unlawful for a person to possess any unsterilized animal when such animal is required to be sterilized under the terms of any applicable sterilization agreement or contract originating from any municipal or non-profit shelter.