Long Beach, California

This ordinance requires that dogs and cats who are 4 months of age or older be spayed or neutered, with some exceptions.

LBMC 6.16.085 – Unaltered Dogs And Cats Prohibited.

A. No person responsible for a cat over the age of four (4) months or a dog over the age of six (6) months shall allow such cat or dog to remain unaltered except as described in Subsection 6.16.085.B.

B. Exceptions to the spay or neuter requirements identified in Subsection 6.16.085.A are:

1. A dog or cat that is incapable of breeding, as determined in accordance with Subsection 6.16.085.C.

2. A dog or cat that is medically unsuited to undergo a spay or neuter procedure, as determined in accordance with Subsection 6.16.085.C.
3. A dog that is undergoing or has received appropriate training and certification by a recognized agency, if such certification is available, and will be or is utilized or is retired from use:
a. By a law enforcement agency for law enforcement activities;
b. By a search and rescue agency for search and rescue activities;
c. As a service animal, such as a guide animal, hearing animal, assistance animal, seizure alert animal, or social/therapy animal approved by the Animal Care Services Bureau; or
d. As breeding stock for dogs described in Subsection 6.16.085.B.3 by a recognized agency or organization approved by the Director.
e. For each of the above, the owner shall provide proof to the satisfaction of the Director with each application for a new or renewal license.
4. A dog or cat harbored by a public shelter, humane society, or similar organization, whether public or private, the principal purpose of which is securing the adoption of dogs or cats, provided that such organization requires the spaying or neutering of all dogs and cats placed for adoption by such organization.
5. A dog that is a breed approved by and registered with a national or international breed registry or association which, at a minimum, requires identification of the breed, date of birth, names of registered sire and dam, the name of the breeder and recordkeeping relating to breeding, transfer of ownership. The owner shall provide verified proof to the satisfaction of the Director with each application for a license.
6. A dog which is undergoing training to or currently is trained to compete or be used for herding of other animals, or as a livestock guardian dog, or a dog designated as breeding stock for these purposes by a recognized agency or organization approved by the Director. The owner shall provide proof to the satisfaction of the Director with each application for a new or renewal license.

C. Qualification for exemption. For purposes of the exemptions set forth in Subsections 6.16.085.A and 6.16.085.B, a dog or cat is:
1. Incapable of breeding if a licensed veterinarian has so certified in writing.
2. Medically unsuited to undergo a spay or neuter procedure if a licensed veterinarian has certified in writing, that a spay or neuter procedure would likely cause the animal’s death or substantially aggravate a physical condition of the animal. The certification shall indicate the medical basis for the exemption and whether the unsuitability is temporary or permanent. If temporary, the certificate shall indicate the period of time the unsuitability is anticipated to last. For an exemption to apply beyond that period, a new certificate must be obtained.