Question
Can an animal shelter require me to have my dog neutered if my dog got out of my house?
Answer
Some municipalities in California (and elsewhere) have enacted laws which require impounded animals to be spayed or neutered prior to their release to their “parents.” These laws differ in that some of the laws only require spaying/neutering if the dog has been impounded more than once.
However, also important to note is that many municipalities in California (and elsewhere) have enacted ordinances which require dogs and cats over the age of four or six months to be spayed or neutered, with certain exceptions, such as when the animal’s “parent” has an unaltered animal or breeding permit or a veterinarian certifies that the procedure would jeopardize the animal’s health. Some local laws also contain exceptions to the sterilization requirement for certified show dogs and law enforcement dogs. Check with your local government for a copy of the law in your municipality.
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