San Mateo, California

8.02.280 REDEMPTION AND SPAY/NEUTER FEE.

(a) Upon redemption of any impounded unaltered animal, the Person responsible for the care, custody or control of any animal will be required to pay a spay or neuter fee in the amount of $100.00 in addition to the impound fees imposed under Section 8.02.350 of this Chapter. Such fee shall be refundable upon proof of spay and neuter of the animal within thirty (30) calendar days following the date of redemption.

(b) Any unaltered animal impounded twice or more within a three-year period shall be altered at a cost to be paid by the Owner/Caretaker or Person responsible for the care, custody, or control of said animal prior to redemption. At the option of the Owner/Caretaker or Person responsible for the care, custody or control of said animal, required spaying or neutering may be performed by a private veterinarian within thirty (30) calendar days.

(c) Any Owner or Caretaker of an impounded animal subject to mandatory spay/neuter under Subsection (b) of this Section may appeal this requirement by submitting a written request for an administrative hearing to the Animal Control Program Manager. The administrative hearing will be conducted according to the provisions of Section 8.02.150 of this Chapter.

(d) The Animal Control Program Manager may waive any County or City fee for County or City spay/neuter, vaccination or impoundment of an animal, if the animal is a feral or stray cat and the Person bringing the animal to the shelter agrees that the Person shall have no rights in the animal or any right to direct or control treatment or disposition of the animal by the Animal Control Program which will retain sole discretion in determining the disposition of the animal, which may include but not be limited to treatment and/or adoption, or euthanasia.