Palm Beach County, Florida

• Spaying and neutering is mandatory for dogs and cats who are 6 months old and older unless the guardian obtains an unaltered dog/cat license permit.
• Every cat in a feral cat colony must be spayed/neutered.
• Breeders shall not breed more than two litters or more than 19 dogs, cats, puppies, or nine kittens during a calendar year.

Part 6. Chapter 4, Section 28. (b) Spaying, neutering of dogs and cats.

(1) No person may own, keep, or harbor a dog or cat six (6) months of age or older that has not been spayed or neutered unless such person holds an unaltered license tag for each unaltered dog or cat, unless the dog or cat is otherwise exempt under this Ordinance.

(2) An owner of an unaltered dog or cat will be allowed to maintain the unaltered animal in Palm Beach County if any of the following criteria is met: a. The dog or cat is registered with a national or international club, association, or registry recognized by the Division, and the owner certifies in writing to the Division that the animal is being used, trained, or considered for use in a show(s), sporting competition(s), or other similar competitive event(s) held by one or more national or international clubs, associations, or registries. For a dog or cat that is not spayed or neutered due to current use as a show or competition dog or cat as provided herein, the license tag fee established by the Board for unsterilized dogs or cats shall apply. b. A veterinarian licensed in the State of Florida certifies in writing that a specific dog or cat is medically unfit to undergo the required spay or neuter procedure because of a medical condition, including but not limited to age, that would be substantially aggravated by such procedure or would likely cause the dog or cat’s death. The writing must state the date by which the dog or cat may be safely spayed or neutered. The Division may extend the time for spaying or neutering a dog or cat or may exempt such dog or cat from the spay/neuter requirement based upon the written medical recommendation of a licensed veterinarian. For a dog or cat that is not spayed or neutered due to a health condition as provided herein, the license tag fee established by the Board for sterilized dogs or cats shall apply. As soon as the medical condition that prevents a dog or cat from being spayed or neutered ceases to exist, it shall be the duty of the owner of such dog or cat to promptly comply with this Section. c. The dog is currently used by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes. For a dog that is not spayed or neutered due to current use by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes as provided herein, the license tag fee established by the Board for police dogs shall apply. d. The dog or cat is a qualified guide dog or service animal as defined in Section 2 this Ordinance or is part of a recognized guide/service animal breeding program approved by the Division and is currently being bred or evaluated to produce guide/service animals. For a dog or cat that is not spayed or neutered due to current use as a qualified guide dog or service animal as provided herein, the license tag fee established by the Board for such animals shall apply. e. The owner wishes to keep the dog or cat unsterilized and certifies in writing to the Division that the dog or cat will not be bred or used for stud purposes unless an appropriate breeder permit is first obtained from the Division. For a dog or cat that is not spayed or neutered but will not be used for breeding or stud purposes, the license tag fee established by the Board for unsterilized animals shall apply.