Santa Cruz County, California

• Spaying and neutering is mandatory for dogs and cats over the age of 6 months unless the caretaker receives written authorization by the director of animal control giving permission to maintain an unaltered dog or cat.
• Anyone intentionally caring or providing for a dog or cat is declared the “owner” of that animal and must sterilize that animal accordingly.
• Feral cat colony caretakers are required to trap cats over the age of 8 weeks and have them spayed or neutered.
• Breeders are permitted to allow their animals to have only one litter in a 12-month period.

6.10.030. A. No person shall own, harbor or keep within the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County, a dog or cat over the age of six months, which has not been spayed or neutered unless such person holds an unaltered animal certification for the animal issued pursuant to Section 6.10.050.

6.10.030. B. 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 this section.

6.10.040 A. It is unlawful for any person within the unincorporated area of the county intentionally to provide food, water or other forms of sustenance to a feral cat colony unless the person furnishes the director of animal control services with a signed statement agreeing to the following conditions:

1. Register with the director of animal control services as caring for feral cats;
2. Regularly feed the cat colony, including weekends and holidays;
3. Regularly and frequently trap the cats over the age of eight weeks and have them spayed or neutered;
4. Arrange to have all trapped cats tested for feline leukemia and feline immune deficiency virus, and to have those who test positive humanely euthanized or isolated indoors;
5. Identify all trapped cats by tipping their ears; and
6. Arrange to have all trapped cats vaccinated for rabies in addition to any other vaccination or immunization requirement imposed by the state.