Lemoore, California

5-1-29: MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION AND SPAY/NEUTER COMPLIANCE FOR SHELTER ANIMALS:

B.   Except as otherwise provided herein, any dog or cat sold, given away or released by the animal shelter or city designee shall be spayed or neutered in accordance with Food And Agricultural Code section 30503, as may be amended. Male and female animals shall be at least two (2) months of age and have a weight of at least two (2) pounds. An extension of time to perform surgery may be granted by the animal shelter if a veterinarian provides a medical determination that the surgery cannot be performed as scheduled and must be postponed. The facility performing the surgery may spay or neuter an animal weighing less than two (2) pounds if by their determination it is safe to perform said surgery. The city, the animal shelter, or the city’s designee may release an unspayed or unneutered animal if the party receiving the animal possesses or obtains a breeder’s permit and pays the required fees, including, without limitation, the cost of boarding, licensing (in the case of a dog), and state fees. 

5-1-30: BREEDER PERMIT AND ADVERTISING:

A.   It is unlawful for any person to breed dogs and/or cats for sale or profit or to advertise for the sale or adoption of such animals without first obtaining a breeder permit.

B.   The fees for a breeder permit shall be set by resolution of the city council and must be submitted to the animal control officer for the breeding of dogs or cats, as well as advertising for the sale or adoption of dogs and cats that are bred within the city limits. Breeding permit requirements are as follows:

1. No offspring can be sold or adopted until eight (8) weeks of age;
2. No offspring can be sold or adopted until vaccinated against common diseases;
3. The breeder permit holder must identify his/her/its permit number when advertising the animals for sale or adoption.

C.   It is unlawful for any person to advertise for the sale or adoption of a litter of dogs or cats in the city without including in the advertisement a city breeder permit number.

D.   A breeder permit shall be in addition to other requirements and conditions that must be satisfied under this code in order to undertake animal breeding operations within the city (e.g., city business permit, special use permit, etc.).