Floyd County, Georgia

Sec. 2-5-4. – Alteration of dogs and cats.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or be in possession of a sexually mature dog or cat which has not been spayed or neutered, unless otherwise exempt from this requirement hereunder.

(b) Whether a dog or cat has reached the age of sexual maturity, as defined in this chapter, shall be determined by the Floyd County Animal Control Director, by a duly-authorized animal control officer, by a licensed veterinarian, or by reliable veterinary medical records concerning any such dog or cat.

(c) Spay or neuter of an animal is not required if:

(1) The owner provides documentation signed by a licensed veterinarian that an animal is currently unable to be safely altered due to health concerns. Such provision shall require the documentation to include an estimated timeframe in which the animal should be medically sound for alteration, if said licensed veterinarian is reasonably able to make such a determination.

(2) The owner is a registered and licensed Georgia pet dealer through the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the animal in question is kept for purposes of commercial breeding.

(3) The animal is deemed to be a working dog as defined in this chapter.

(d) Prior to the court date listed on the citation, any citation issued for a violation of this section may be dismissed if the owner provides proof to the Floyd County Magistrate Court that he or she has since had the animal altered so as to be in compliance.

Sec. 2-5-37. – Spaying and/or neutering of adopted animals.

(a) Any and all animals adopted from the animal control shelter shall be spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian.

(b) Any person adopting an animal from the animal control shelter must enter into a written agreement guaranteeing that a licensed veterinarian will perform sterilization within thirty (30) days after acquisition of such animal in the case of any sexually mature animal (one hundred eighty (180) days or six (6) months of age or older). In the case of a sexually immature animal (younger than one hundred eighty (180) days or six (6) months of age), the person adopting said animal would be given thirty (30) days from the date said animal reaches sexual maturity to have a licensed veterinarian perform sterilization.

(c) All costs of sterilization shall be the responsibility of the person acquiring such animal.

(d) Any person acquiring an animal from the animal control shelter shall submit a signed statement from the licensed veterinarian performing the sterilization within seven (7) days after such sterilization attesting that such sterilization has been performed.

(e) Any person failing to comply with this section will be guilty of a misdemeanor and if convicted will be subject to a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00).