Monroe County, Florida

Sec. 4-45. – Impounding, redeeming by owner, disposition of unredeemed dogs and cats.

(b) Disposal of unredeemed animals; fees. After a period of confinement of five days, those animals not claimed may be disposed of through approved humane agencies, or otherwise in a humane manner. Animals shall be released to owners on presentation of proof of ownership and after proper inoculation, licensing and payment of fees, including a $100.00 fine if the animal was at large and is unneutered, for sterilization of the animal prior to release. This fine will be waived if the owner/caretaker agrees in an enforceable contract to alter the animal prior to leaving the shelter.

Sec. 4-69. – Neutering of dogs, cats, and rabbits.

(a) Required spay and neutering. No person in the county shall own, possess, or have control or custody of a dog, cat, or rabbit six months of age or older that is not spayed or neutered except for those animals for which an exemption license has been issued.

(b) Licensed exemptions. Owners and keepers of dogs, cats and rabbits who do not want their animals spayed or neutered, regardless of the reason, shall obtain an annual license from their local county animal control office. The annual fee for this license shall be $35.00 per animal.

(c) Spay, neuter or license for exemption required. No dog, cat, or rabbit that is six months of age or older shall be released by any county animal control officer to an owner or keeper unless the animal is spayed or neutered or licensed to be exempt from the spay/neuter requirement. A dog, cat or rabbit requiring spaying or neutering may be released to the veterinarian of the owner’s choice to be spayed or neutered at the owner’s expense.

(d) Unaltered animal at large fines. If an animal that has not been spayed/neutered is picked up by animal control or brought into the shelter by any other person, there will be a fine that will be waived if the owner or assigned caregiver agrees to alter the animal prior to leaving the shelter and the animal shall not be released to the owner unless the owner allows the animal shelter to arrange for the animal to be spayed or neutered. If the owner desires to have the animal’s regular veterinarian perform the procedure, the owner shall sign a contract with the animal control supervisor that the animal will be spayed/neutered and proof returned to the animal control supervisor of the spay/neuter being within 15 days of release of the animal to the owner. If the owner chooses to keep animal intact and has a license, there shall be a fine for each offense.

(e) Registration of pregnant animals; fee. Prior to birth of a litter of dogs, cats, or rabbits, the owner of the pregnant animal shall register with the animal control supervisor in the area in which the owner is located information regarding the litter. The owner shall pay a county litter registration fee. Owners of animals having unregistered litters will be charged a fine that will be waived if the owner/caregiver agrees to have the litter and breeding mother altered.