Ruidoso, New Mexico

Sec. 14-16. – Spaying or neutering of dogs and cats.

(a) No person shall own or harbor within the village any cat or dog over the age of six months which has not been spayed or neutered, unless that person holds either a permit to keep an unaltered dog or cat or a permit for breeding cats or dogs issued under section 14-17.

(b) The village or its contractor under section 14-15 shall issue a permit for the keeping of an animal that has not been neutered if the owner signs a written statement that the animal will not be allowed to breed unless the owner has first obtained a breeding permit under section 14-17.

(c) Proof of neutering, if not apparent upon visual inspection, may be made by certificate or receipt from a licensed veterinarian, or by affidavit of the animal’s owner.

Sec. 14-17. – Breeding permit.

(a) Required. No owner of any dog or cat within the village shall cause or allow the dog or cat to breed without first obtaining a breeding permit under this section. The breeding permit shall be required in addition to the microchip required by section 14-4.

(b) Administration. The village or its contractor under section 14-15 shall administer a permit program to allow the breeding of cats and dogs consistent with the criteria and according to the procedures in this chapter.

(c) Fee. The fee for a breeding permit shall be set from time to time and is listed in the fee schedule in appendix A to this Code. The fee shall be in addition to any other fee required under this chapter.

(d) Conditions. All breeding permits shall contain the following terms and conditions and shall be subject to all of the following requirements:

(1) No offspring of the animal which has been bred may be sold or given away until the offspring has reached the age of at least eight weeks and been immunized against common diseases.

(2) Any breeding permit holder advertising to the public the availability of any animal for adoption or sale shall prominently display the holder’s breeding permit number. The permit holder shall also provide the permit number to any person to whom any animal is sold or adopted.

(3) The animal control officer shall have the right to inspect the areas used by any breeding permit holder for the keeping of animal offspring, to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter.