Sterilization of all cats and dogs adopted or purchased from animal shelters or animal control agencies, procedure
When someone adopts or buys a dog or cat from an animal shelter or animal control agency, that animal must be spayed or neutered. The shelter can either have this done before the animal goes home, or make the new owner sign a written agreement promising to get it done by a certain date. For adult animals, the deadline is 30 days after adoption. For young puppies or kittens, the deadline is 30 days after they turn six months old. If a vet says the animal's health could be hurt by the surgery, the deadline can be pushed back by 30 days at a time, as many times as needed.
273.403. of all cats and dogs adopted or purchased from s or animal control agencies, procedure. — 1. shall be made for the sterilization of all dogs and cats sold or released for adoption or purchased from any public or private animal shelter or animal control agency operated by a , or by a county or city, or other . Such provisions may be made by:
(1) Providing for sterilization by a before of the animal; or
(2) Entering into a written agreement with the adopter or purchaser guaranteeing that sterilization will be performed by a licensed veterinarian, in with a sterilization agreement which shall contain the following :
(a) The date of the agreement;
(b) The name, address, and signature of the and the adopter;
(c) A description of the animal to be adopted;
(d) A statement printed in that sterilization of the animal is required sections 273.400 to 273.405;
(e) A sterilization completion date which shall be either:
a. The thirtieth day after the date of adoption in the case of an adult animal; or
b. The thirtieth day after a specified date estimated to be the date an adopted infant female or male puppy or kitten becomes six months of age; or
c. If the releasing agency has a written policy recommending sterilization of certain infant animals at an earlier date, the thirtieth day after the date contained in* the written policy.
2. An adopter that signs a sterilization agreement shall have the adopted animal on or before the sterilization date stated in the agreement. If the sterilization completion date stated in the agreement falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or , the deadline may be extended to the first day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. The releasing agency may extend the deadline for thirty days on the presentation of a letter or telephone report from a licensed veterinarian stating that the life or health of the adopted animal may be jeopardized by sterilization. There shall be no limit to the number of extensions that may be granted for this reason.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1992 S.B. 636 § 8) *Word "after" appears in original rolls.
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