(A) No person shall own, harbor or keep within the incorporated area of the City of Tulare, a dog or cat over the age of six months, which has not been spayed or neutered, unless such person holds an unaltered animal certification for the animal issued pursuant to § 6.12.410.
(B) Any person intentionally providing care or sustenance for a dog or cat for a period longer than two weeks shall be deemed the owner of such dog or cat and shall comply with this section.
(C) The following animals are exempt from the provisions of this section:
(1) Dogs documented as having been appropriately trained and actually being used by public law enforcement agencies for law enforcement activities, or dogs designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the Manager of Animal Services after consultation with knowledgeable professionals;
(2) Dogs documented as having been appropriately trained and actually being legally used as a service dog such as a guide dog, hearing dog, assistance dog, seizure alert dog or social/therapy dog, or a dog designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the Manager of Animal Services, after consultation with knowledgeable professionals;
(3) Dogs documented as having been appropriately trained and actually being used by search and rescue agencies for search and rescue activities, or dogs designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the Manager of Animal Services after consultation with knowledgeable professionals;
(4) A dog with a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death if spayed or neutered, due to age or infirmity. The owner or custodian must obtain written confirmation of this fact from a California licensed veterinarian. If the dog is able to be safely spayed or neutered at a later date, that date must be stated in the written confirmation; should this date be later than 30 calendar days, the owner or custodian must apply for an unaltered dog license;
(5) A cat with a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death if spayed or neutered, due to age or infirmity. The owner or custodian must obtain written confirmation of this fact from a California licensed veterinarian. If the cat is able to be safely spayed or neutered at a later date, which date must be stated in the written confirmation.
(Ord. 17-13, passed 12-19-2017)