City of Clearlake, California

• Spaying and neutering is mandatory for dogs and cats over the age of 4 months.
• Anyone intentionally caring or providing for a dog or cat is declared the “owner” of that animal and must sterilize that animal accordingly.
• Certain animals are exempted from this ordinance’s provisions.

7-10.1 No person shall own, harbor, or keep within the City of Clearlake, a dog or cat over the age of four months, which has not been spayed or neutered unless the dog or cat is exempted from the provisions of this section pursuant to Section 7-10.3.

7-10.2  Any person intentionally providing care or sustenance for a dog or cat shall be deemed the owner of such dog or cat and shall comply with Section 7-10.1.

7-10.3 The following animals are exempt from the provisions of Section 7-17.1.

(a) Dogs documented as having been appropriately trained and actually being used by public law enforcement agencies for law enforcement activities, or such dogs designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the Director of Animal Care & Control after consultation with knowledgeable professionals;
(b) Dogs having been appropriately trained and actually being used as a service dog, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, assistance dog, seizure alert dog, or social/therapy dog, or such dogs designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the Director of Animal Care & Control after consultation with knowledgeable professionals;
(c) Dogs documented as having been appropriately trained and actually being used by search and rescue agencies for search and rescue activities, or such dogs designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the Director of Animal Care & Control after consultation with knowledgeable professionals;
(d) Dogs or cats certified by a licensed veterinarian as having a health reason for not being spayed/neutered;
(e) Dogs which are appropriately trained and actually being used for herding of other animals, or as livestock guardian dogs, hunting dogs, or such dogs designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the Director of Animal Care & Control after consultation with knowledgeable Professionals;
(f) Dogs or cats boarded in a licensed kennel or a business, which boards such animals for professional training or resale;
(g) Dogs or cats which are registered with the American Kennel Club, the Cat Fancier Association or other recognized registry or trained and kept for the purpose of show, field trials or agility trials.

Section 2: The provisions of this ordinance shall not become operative until June 1, 2006.