(a) Requirement. No person may own, keep, or harbor an unaltered dog or cat over the age of seven months in violation of this section. An owner of an unaltered dog or cat must have the dog spayed or neutered, or provide a certificate of sterility, or obtain an unaltered dog license in accordance with this Chapter. An owner or custodian of an unaltered cat must have the animal spayed or neutered, or provide a certificate of sterility.
(b) Exemptions. This section shall not apply to any of the following:
(1) A dog or cat with a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death if spayed or neutered, due to age or infirmity. The owner must obtain written confirmation of this fact from a veterinarian. If the dog or cat is able to be safely spayed or neutered at a later date, that date must be stated in the written confirmation; for dogs, should this date be later than 30 days, the owner or custodian must apply for an unaltered dog license;
(2) Animals owned by recognized dog or cat breeders, as determined by the City; and
(3) Female dogs over the age of 10 years and male dogs over the age of 12 years each of which has an unaltered license.
(c) Transfer, sale, and breeding of unaltered dogs or cats.
(1) Offer for sale or transfer of unaltered dog. An owner who offers any unaltered dog over the age of four months of age for sale, trade, or adoption must include a valid unaltered dog license number with the offer of sale, trade or adoption, or otherwise state and establish compliance with this Section. An owner of an unaltered dog must notify the department of the name and address of the transferee within ten days after the transfer. The unaltered license and microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the animal to the new owner.
(2) Offer for sale or transfer of unaltered cat. An owner or custodian of an unaltered cat must notify the department of the name and address of the transferee within ten days after the transfer. The microchip numbers must appear on a document transferring the animal to the new owner.
(Ord. 181, passed 5-1-2019)