Riverside, California

8.04.130 Mandatory spay/neuter for dogs and cats adopted from City animal shelter.

A. Dogs and cats under four months of age. No person shall be permitted to adopt or purchase any dog or cat from the City animal shelter under the age of four months unless and until a deposit for spaying or neutering the dog or cat has been tendered to the Animal Control Director. The deposit shall be in an amount determined to be comparable to the lowest fee charged by veterinarians in the City as set by resolution of the City Council; provided however, the deposit shall not exceed the amounts for such deposits as set forth in State law. It is unlawful for any person adopting such dog or cat to fail to have such animal spayed or neutered within 60 days of the date such dog or cat reached the age of four months unless upon the certification of the veterinarian employed at the City animal shelter such operation would unnecessarily endanger the life of the animal, in which event, such dog or cat shall be spayed or neutered at the earliest date when medically acceptable to do so. The deposit shall be returned to the person purchasing or adopting the dog or cat upon presentation of a written certification from a veterinarian or clinic that the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered; provided, however, such deposit must be claimed within 120 days of the date such dog or cat reached the age of four months.

B. Dogs and cats four months of age or older. All dogs and cats over the age of four months placed for adoption from the City animal shelter shall be spayed or neutered before being placed in the custody of the adoptive owner; provided, however, such requirement may be waived by the Animal Control Director upon the certification of the veterinarian employed at the City animal shelter that such operation will unnecessarily endanger the life of the animal.