Griffin, Georgia

Sec. 14-36. – Alteration requirement.

(a) Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of any dogs or cats six months of age or older within the City of Griffin is required to have said dog or cat surgically altered, except that this ordinance shall not apply to:

(1) Individuals who are nonresidents of the City of Griffin and reside temporarily in the City of Griffin for a period not to exceed 60 days within a twelve-month period;

(2) Lawful human societies/animal shelters licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture whose principal purpose is to secure the adoption of animals or offering sanctuary for dogs and cats. Nevertheless, such organizations must comply with the mandatory sterilization requirements applicable to animal shelters and rescue organizations pursuant to the regulations of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, O.C.G.A. § 40-13-13 et seq., the Georgia Protection Act, O.C.G.A. § 4-11-1 et seq., and other applicable laws;

(3) Veterinary hospitals;

(4) Persons who own, keep, harbor, or have custody of registered service dogs or working police dogs;

(5) Persons who own, keep, or have custody of actively competitive or retired show dogs or cats. To qualify for this exemption, the dog or cat must be of a breed recognized by and registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), or a similar organization and meets one of the following requirements:

a. The dog or cat has competed in at least one show or sporting competition sanctioned by a bonafide national registry within the past 365 days. Written confirmation by the competition sponsor that the dog or cat has competed is necessary to satisfy this requirement.

b. The dog has earned conformation, obedience, agility, carting, herding, hunting, protection, rally, sporting, working, or other titles from a pure bred dog registry, as referenced above and confirmed in writing by the organization.

c. The dog or cat is registered with a bonafide pure bred dog breed club or cat fanciers association, which maintains and enforces a code of ethics restricting breeding dogs or cats with genetic defects and life threatening health problems that commonly threaten the breed and provide written confirmation from the organization.

d. The owner of the dog or cat signs a statement under oath attesting that the dog or cat is being trained to comply with and qualify for the exemptions set forth in subsections (i) or (ii) of this provision.

(6) Persons who own, keep, or have custody of a dog or cat and who are in possession of a written certification provided by a licensed veterinarian stating that the animal has a serious health condition which renders the animal unfit to undergo the required surgical procedure; or

(7) Persons who are Georgia Department of Agriculture licensed breeders.

Sec. 14-37. – Unaltered dog or cat permit.

(a) Dog and/or cat owners who wish to maintain an intact dog or cat must apply for an unaltered dog or cat permit with the City of Griffin. City of Griffin Police Department will issue a permit if the owner complies with the requirements set forth in this article and pays the permit fee established by the board of commissioners and on file in the city manager’s office. A certificate will be issued identifying the dog or cat as a permitted unaltered dog or cat and must be made available for inspection at all times.

(b) Owners who apply for an unaltered dog or cat permit must provide proof of rabies vaccination of the dog or cat prior to issuance of the permit. An unaltered animal permit is valid for the life of the animal.

(c) An unaltered animal tag will be provided to the owner of every unaltered animal. The owner of the unaltered animal is required to ensure that the unaltered animal tag is securely fastened to the animal’s collar or harness at all times.

(d) The cost of an animal permit shall be fixed by the board of commissioners and may be updated from time to time by resolution.