KnowMo Laws shieldKnowMo LawsShow-Me State Laws
Animals & Pets
RSMo 273.405effective 28 Aug 1992

Animal considered sterilized when

In plain English

When a shelter or rescue group (called a releasing agency) gives an animal to someone, the animal counts as sterilized once the agency gets a written note from a licensed vet saying the surgery was done. The person adopting or buying the animal pays for the sterilization unless something else is worked out. These sterilization rules do not apply to hunting dogs or dogs used for managing livestock, as long as the adopter signs a statement saying the dog will be used for those purposes.

Word-for-word law

273.405. Animal considered when — exceptions to requirement — costs to be paid by adopter or purchaser. — 1. Each shall agree to give , possession, and control of the animal so long as the adopter complies with the terms and conditions of the adoption agreement.

2. The releasing agency shall consider the animal sterilized upon receipt of written ed by the who performed the sterilization.

3. Exceptions to the sterilization requirements of sections 273.400 to 273.405 shall not apply to a dog or cat that is claimed from a releasing agency by a person who already owns the animal. This shall not apply to a releasing agency located in a that has in effect an providing standards for dog and cat sterilization that exceed the requirements of sections 273.400 to 273.405.

4. All costs of sterilization sections 273.400 to 273.405 shall be paid by the adopter or purchaser, unless otherwise provided.

5. The requirements of sections 273.400 to 273.405 shall not apply to of a breed regularly used for lawful hunting or production or management, as specified by rules of the , to be used in the practice of livestock production or management or the practice of lawful hunting. The adopter may sign a statement that states he is* going to use the canines for such purposes the sterilization agreement.

Tap any gold-underlined word to see what it means.

Red section numbers link to that law.

Source & history notes

(L. 1992 S.B. 636 § 9) *Words "they are" appear in original rolls.

View official source

Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.

RSMo 273.405: Animal considered sterilized when | KnowMo Laws