Waco, Texas

• Dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered, with some exemptions.

Sec. 5-210. Required; exceptions.

(a) All dogs or cats in the corporate city limits shall be spayed/neutered. The owner of such animals must retain documentation of the spay/neuter of their animals.

(b) All dogs or cats impounded within the corporate city limits will be spayed/neutered prior to being released to the owner. The cost to spay/neuter the animal shall be paid by the owner along with the impound fees.

(c) The following animals will not be spay/neutered as directed under subsection (a):

(1) The animal is under four months of age;

(2) A licensed veterinarian certifies that the dog or cat should not be spayed/neutered for health reasons or is permanently non-fertile;

(3) The animal is a trained animal used by or under the authority of a governmental agency in police or rescue work;

(4) Animals transferred to another animal shelter that provides a written agreement to the city that the animal will be sterilized before being placed into a new home located within the corporate limits of the city; or

(5) Animals, picked up for the first time, belonging to a breeder that has:

a. The animal’s microchip number;

b. A copy of the animal’s health statement; and

c. Paid the fee for first offense and all other fees associated with the impoundment of the animal. Should the animal be impounded a second time it will be spay/neutered prior to being released to the owner.

(Ord. No. 2013-478, § 1, 8-20-13)