Spay/Neuter
McKinley County, New Mexico
SECTION 2: DEFINITIONS:
2.9 BREEDING: Permitting, either intentionally or unintentionally, a female dog or cat to produce offspring.
SECTION 9: IMPOUNDING/RETURNING/ADOPTING ANIMALS:
9.8 A sterilized dog with current rabies vaccination, current city or county license, may be reclaimed without owner being cited for running at large. Owner shall be responsible for impound and boarding fees.
SECTION 16: LITTER PERMIT:
16.1 An owner who intentionally or unintentionally breeds a dog or cat and who does not have a current shelter-refuge-professional animal permit or hobby breeder permit shall purchase a litter permit for each litter. A female dog or cat shall have no more than one litter each year per household.
16.2 The litter permit application shall contain the following information at a minimum:
a. Name of applicant.
b. Address of applicant.
c. Telephone number of applicant.
d. Description and picture of female animals.
e. The Gallup-McKinley County Animal Control Authority may require such other information as is deemed necessary in order to determine whether to approve or deny a permit under this Section.
16.3 A litter permit is good for six (6) months from date of issue and must be obtained no later than one week after the birth of the litter.
16.4 the owner shall not advertise, barter for, sell, or give away any puppy or kitten unless the applicable permit number is displayed legibly in all advertisements. The owner shall furnish the litter permit number to any potential recipient upon request. Failure to list permit number or advertising without prior purchase of permit is a violation of this section.
16.5 Puppies and kittens can only be bartered for, sold, given away or other transfer or conveyance from the applicant’s address as listed on the litter permit. Puppies of kittens being bartered for, sold, given away or other transfer or conveyance on public or commercial property even with the property owner’s permission are in violation of this Ordinance.
16.6 Every dog or cat offered for sale, barter, given away, adopted or any other transfer or conveyance will have been given age appropriate vaccinations by a veterinarian. A certificate providing the name of the veterinarian and the date of treatment must be provided to the recipient at the time of transfer.
SECTION 17: REDUCED COST SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM(s):
171. The Gallup-McKinley County Animal Control Authority shall maintain a list of entity’s or programs that offer a targeted dog or cat spay and neuter program aimed at assisting those citizens most in need: the elderly, disabled, or very low income. The Gallup-McKinley County Animal Control Authority will make referrals to the listed entities and programs as needed.
17.2 The Gallup-McKinley County Animal Control Authority may within their annual budgetary process, create and operate a Reduced Cost Spay and Neuter Program based on the following requirements (income information is subject to verification) and guidelines:
a. Elderly (70 or more years of age);
b. Disabled (qualify for social security disability income payments); or
c. Low income (eligible for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or some other index).
d. Cost to participants required pursuant to this section shall be established by the Gallup-McKinley County Animal Control Authority.
e. The spay and neuter program can include the surgery, and return visit for suture removal, if needed. Vaccinations can be provided at an additional cost.
f. The Gallup-McKinley County Animal Control Authority Board through resolution may charge to participants who fail to keep an appointment or do not provide four (4) business days’ notice to cancel an appointment.
g. Establish other reasonable conditions for participation in the program.
SECTION 19: ADOPTION OF DOGS AND CATS:
19.1 No dog or cat over the age of three (3) months shall be adopted to a forever home unless it has been spayed or neutered.
19.2 Persons adopting a dog or cat under three (3) months of age will make arrangements with animal control for the sterilization date.
SECTION 46: STERILIZATION AGREEMENTS/CONTRACTS:
It shall be unlawful for a person to possess any unsterilized animal when such animal is required to be sterilized under the terms of any applicable sterilization agreement or contract originating from any governmental, municipal or nonprofit shelter.
