Santa Paula, California

§ 91.32 MANDATORY SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF DOGS AND CATS.

(A)   No person may own, keep or harbor a dog or cat over the age of four months that has not been spayed or neutered. A guardian/custodian of an unaltered dog or cat must have the animal spayed or neutered or obtain an unaltered dog or cat license in accordance with § 91.33.

(B)   The guardian/custodian of a dog or cat that is unable to be spayed or neutered without a serious risk of bodily harm or death due to age or infirmity, must obtain written confirmation of that fact from a licensed veterinarian. The writing must also state the date by which the dog or cat may be safely spayed or neutered.

(C)   If a cat is unable to be safely spayed or neutered within 30 days, the guardian/custodian of the cat must obtain an unaltered cat license and pay the required fee as set by resolution of the City Council.

(D)   If a dog is unable to be safely spayed or neutered within 30 days, the guardian/custodian must apply for an unaltered dog license. If the unaltered dog license is granted, the guardian/custodian must pay the required fee as set by resolution of the City Council.

§ 91.34 TRANSFER, SALE AND BREEDING OF UNALTERED DOG OR CAT.

(A)   Offer for sale or transfer of an unaltered dog or cat. A guardian/custodian who offers any unaltered dog or cat for sale, trade or adoption must include a valid unaltered dog or cat license number with the offer of sale, trade or adoption or otherwise state and establish compliance with § 91.32. The offer for sale or transfer of an unaltered dog must also include the microchip number as required in § 91.36. The license and/or microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the animal to the new guardian/custodian.

(B)   Transfer of unaltered dog or cat. The guardian/custodian of an unaltered dog over the age of four months, which is not a competition dog, must demonstrate compliance with § 91.32 prior to the transfer, and must notify the city of the name and address of the transferee within ten days after the transfer.

(C)   Notification of litter and sale or transfer of puppies or kittens. Within 30 days after a litter is born to a female dog or cat, the guardian/custodian of the female animal shall advise the city in writing of the number of live born puppies or kittens. When a puppy or kitten under the age of four months is sold or otherwise transferred to another person, the guardian/custodian shall advise the Department of the name and address of the new guardian/custodian, and the microchip number of the puppy or kitten, if applicable, within ten days after the transfer.

§ 91.35 DOG AND CAT BREEDING; PERMIT REQUIRED; FEES.

(A)   Any person, except for a person possessing a valid kennel license, who causes the breeding of a dog or cat, shall obtain a breeding permit from the city and shall pay the fee for such permit. Breeding permits shall be valid for a term of one year from the date of issuance.

(B)   Each permit shall authorize the whelping of no more than one litter per female dog or cat in any 12-month period and no more than one litter per domestic household in any 12- month period, or the offering of a male dog or cat for stud once in any 12-month period.

(C)   Breeding permits must be obtained in person at the animal control authority (or specially designated satellite offices) where the Director shall keep a register wherein shall be entered the name and address of each person to whom any breeding permit is issued, the date of issuance thereof, the date or approximate date the person obtained the dog or cat, the age or approximate age of the dog or cat, and, if a first-time breeding permit, the number of past litters produced.

(D)   The person applying for the breeding permit shall demonstrate a basic understanding of humane breeding practices, administered in the form of a test, designed and administered by the Director. Should the applicant fail to pass the humane practices breeding test, he or she shall be denied the breeding permit and may not reapply for such a permit for a minimum period of 30 days. (E)   Should the applicant provide any false information or fail to provide any required information, the breeding permit shall be denied.