Fowler, California

6-1.515 – Spay and neuter of cats and dogs.

(a) Spaying or Neutering Prior to Adoption. No dog or cat shall be made available for adoption unless the dog or cat is spayed or neutered in accordance with California Food and Agricultural Code Sections 30503 and 31751.3 or is otherwise exempt pursuant to subsection (b) below.

(b) Spaying or Neutering a Dog or Cat Over the Age of Four (4) Months. No person within the City shall own a dog or cat over the age of four (4) months that has not been spayed or neutered, unless valid written documentation is provided to show proof that the animal is exempt from the requirement to be spayed or neutered by reason of one of the following, and is in compliance with subsection (c) below:

(1) The dog or cat is a breed approved by and is registered with a registry or association recognized by an Animal Control Officer, whose program and practices are consistent with the humane treatment of animals, and the dog or cat is actively used to show or compete and has competed in at least one show or sporting competition hosted by or under the approval of the recognized registry or association within the last two (2) years, or is being trained or groomed to show or compete and is too young to have yet competed.

(2) The dog is being trained or has been appropriately trained and is actively used in a manner that meets the definition of guide, signal or service dog as set forth in California Civil Code Section 54.1 or Penal Code Section 365.5, or the dog is enrolled in a guide, signal or service dog breeding program administered by a person licensed under Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 7200) of Division 3 of the California Business and Professions Code.

(3) The dog is appropriately trained or is in the process of being trained and is actively used by law enforcement agencies or the military for law enforcement, military or rescue activities.

(4) The owner of the dog or cat provides a letter to an Animal Control Officer from a licensed veterinarian certifying that either: the animal’s health would be best served by spaying or neutering after a specified date, in which case a deposit as set forth in the City’s fee schedule shall be provided to ensure spaying or neutering by the owner after the specified date; or that due to age, poor health, or illness it is unsafe to spay or neuter the animal at any time. This letter shall include the veterinarian’s license number and be updated periodically as necessary.

(5) The dog or cat has been registered for personal use breeding pursuant to this chapter.

(c) Unaltered Dogs and Cats. An unaltered dog or cat shall be implanted with an animal microchip identification device identifying the owner of the animal. The dog license application for an unaltered dog shall contain the information requested by the City, including the identification number of the implanted animal microchip identification device, the name and address of the owner, and the location at which the dog will be maintained. A license for an unaltered dog shall not be transferable, and shall not be issued to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years.

(d) Violations for Not Spaying or Neutering. First time violators of this section shall be provided with a sixty-day notice to comply prior to the issuance of a citation or the initiation of an enforcement action.

6-1.516 – Breeding dogs and cats.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to breed for commercial purposes any dog or cat within the City. It is unlawful for any person to breed for personal use any dog or cat unless the dog or cat is registered for personal use breeding pursuant to this section. Registration does not authorize a person to have more than the maximum number of household pets allowed by this chapter.

(b) Any person required to register their animals for breeding shall register with the City. The registration form shall include, at a minimum, the following information:

1. The name, address and telephone numbers of the dog or cat’s owner;
2. The name, address and telephone numbers of the location where the dog or cat will be kept, if different than the name and address of the dog or cat’s owner;
3. The description of the dog or cat, including breed, color, age, name and sex;
4. The date of immunization for the dog or cat;
5. The type of rabies vaccine administered to the dog or cat; and
6. The license number of the dog.

Registration information must be updated within thirty (30) days of any changes.

(c) Failing to register a dog or cat for breeding, or failing to update registration information within thirty (30) days of any changes, is a violation of this chapter subject to enforcement in the same manner as any other violation of the Municipal Code.