San Mateo, California

• Any dog or cat over 6 months of age must be spayed or neutered, unless the guardian holds an unaltered license.
• If the animal breeds accidentally, the guardian must obtain a breeder’s permit in addition to the unaltered license.
• Any guardian redeeming an impounded unaltered animal will be required to pay a spay/neuter fee in the amount of $35 in addition to the impound fees imposed. This fee will be refunded if the animal is spayed or neutered within 30 days. Any unaltered animal impounded twice or more within a 3-year period will be altered at the guardian’s expense prior to redemption. At the option of the guardian, required spaying or neutering may be performed by a private veterinarian.
• There are differential licensing charges: $11 for spayed or neutered dogs and $21 (which includes a $.50 surcharge for the Animal Population Trust Fund) for unaltered dogs. Spayed/neutered cats are $6 and $11 for unaltered cats.
• Penalties for violation, of spay/neuter ordinances are fines not to exceed $100 on the first offense, $200 on the second offense, and $500 for each additional violation of the same ordinance within one year.

Chap. 8.02.090, Sec. 3332.4 (a) No person shall own or harbor within the City any cat or dog over the age of six months which has not been spayed or neutered, unless such person holds either a license to keep an unaltered dog or cat or a license and permit for breeding cats or dogs.

Chap. 8.02, Sec. 3330.8 Upon redemption of any impounded unaltered animal, the owner will be required to pay a spay/neuter fee in the amount of $35.0 in addition to the impound fees imposed under Section 3330.12. Such fee shall be refundable upon proof of spaying /neutering of the animal within 30 days of the redemption date. Any unaltered animal impounded twice or more within a three-year period shall be altered at the owner’s expense prior to redemption. At the option of the owner, required spaying or neutering may be performed by a private veterinarian.