Texas - Austin

"Mandatory Spay/Neuter of all Dogs/Cats & Breeder Permits"

• Every dog and cat of six months of age or older in the city of Austin must be spayed/neutered, with Medical, Transitory or Intact Permit exceptions.

• To own an intact dog or cat, an Annual Intact Permit must be obtained for $100 per permit for each intact animal, with an identifying microchip implanted.

• The holder of an Intact Permit for a female dog or cat who breeds this animal must first purchase a Breeding Permit for $500 per litter with numerous provisions and restrictions.

Penalties for violations regarding Running at Large or Unrestrained Dog include:

• For an intact animal temporarily in the city via a transitory exception:
  First offense owner is required to pay permit fee of $100 for each animal involved.

• Second offense for same animal, animal will be sterilized by the city and owner must pay all professional fees to reclaim.

• For an intact dog or cat with an Intact Permit:  Owner may reclaim on first offense. Second offense for same animal, animal will be sterilized by the city and owner must pay all professional fees to reclaim.

• For an intact dog or cat in the city without a medical, transitory exception or Intact Permit:  The owner will be required to take one of the following 3 actions: 1) Surrender the animal to the city; 2) Pay the Annual Intact Permit Fee of $100 plus a fine of $150; or 3) Provide proof of sterilization within 30 days of citation. If proof of sterilization is not received, animal(s) will be seized and sterilized by the city. Cost of reclaiming will include all professional fees plus a fine of $150.

• If an owner fails to sterilize their animal after 30 days notice and obstructs confiscation of the animal, the owner will be jailed and may be offered community service at Town Lake Animal Center.
  
  Penalties regarding Breeding Permits and Restrictions

• Failure to obtain a breeding permit if the animal is pregnant, offenders will have 3 options: 1) Terminate the pregnancy and spay the animal; 2) Purchase an intact animal permit for $100 per pregnant animal and a breeding permit for $500 per pregnant animal; and pay a fine of $150; or 3) Surrender the pregnant animal(s) to the city.

• Failure to obtain a breeding permit if the animal has already delivered puppies or kittens has two options: 1) Purchase an intact animal permit for $100 per animal and a breeding permit for $500 per litter, and pay a fine of $150; or 2) Purchase an intact animal permit for $100 for each breeding animal, pay a fine of $150, and surrender the current litter(s) to the city.
  
  The mayor and city council may be emailed with one email at the website:
  http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/groupemail.htm

Mailing Address for City of Austin, PO Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767

Mayor Will Wynn: Phone: 512-974-2250, Fax: 512-974-2337
Mayor Pro Tem Danny Thomas: Phone: 512-974-2266, Fax: 512-974-1890
Councilman Raul Alvarez: Phone: 512-974-2264, Fax: 512-974-1887
Councilwoman Betty Dunkerley: Phone: 512-974-2258, Fax: 512-974-1886
Councilwoman Jennifer Kim: Phone: 512-974-2255, Fax: 512-974-1888
Councilman Lee Leffingwell: Phone: 512-974-2260, Fax: 512-974-3212
Councilman Brewster McCracken: Phone: 512-974-2256, Fax: 512-974-1884
 

For additional information, contact:
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
http://www.responsiblepetowners.org
Mary Beth Duerler
(210) 822-6763