Indian River County, Florida

Section 302.04. – Procedure for application, issuance, and renewal of license.

(A) After the effective date of this chapter, it shall be unlawful and subject to all penalties provided herein for any person to own, keep, harbor, maintain or have custody of any dog or cat that has attained an age of six (6) months, unless such dog or cat is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

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(F) If an owner is seeking to have a dog or cat licensed as a neutered or spayed animal, the owner shall provide with the application sufficient proof of sterilization. This proof may be by means of certification of the licensed veterinarian who performed the procedure, or if not available, by opinion of an examining veterinarian as to the animal’s apparent reproductive status, or by any other equally reliable documentary evidence. Any dog or cat certified by an examining veterinarian to be either permanently incapable of reproduction or unsuitable for surgical sterilization, by virtue of age, disease, or other infirmity, or any animal under the age of one (1) year, shall be licensed as a sterilized or nonreproductive animal, as applicable, but only for as long as the animal remains in the applicable license category.

Section 302.071. – Adoption.

(B) Requirements for adoption.

(1) No dog or cat shall be released for adoption by the designated impoundment facility without first being sterilized or without a written agreement from the adopting party guaranteeing that said animal shall be sterilized within thirty (30) days following adoption, unless the sexual maturity of the animal requires a longer period for sterilization. The written agreement to sterilize shall be obtained from the adopting person by the designated impoundment facility. The designated impoundment facility shall collect a cash or check deposit in an amount to be determined by the designated impoundment facility. The deposit shall be refunded without interest upon presentation of proof that said animal has been sterilized. Failure by either party to comply with the provisions of F.S. § 823.15, as amended from time to time, with respect to sterilization of such an animal shall be a violation of this section, and shall subject the person to the penalties prescribed by such statute; and, in addition, the deposit shall be forfeited to the designated impoundment facility for animal control or related purposes.

(2) No dog or cat shall be released for adoption by the designated impoundment facility without first being currently vaccinated and licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Until such animal is actually sterilized, licensing fees shall be levied as if the animal were unsterilized.