§ 6.12.020. Spaying/neutering.

(a)

Any person who owns or harbors within the unincorporated San Mateo County, any cat or dog over the age of six months which has not been spayed or neutered, shall procure either a license to keep an unaltered dog or cat or a license and permit for breeding cats or dogs issued by the San Mateo County Animal Control Program under section 6.12.030 of this chapter.

(b)

A license shall be issued for an unaltered dog or cat if the owner signs a written statement that such animal will not be allowed to breed unless the owner has first obtained a breeding permit under section 6.12.030 of this code.

(c)

Any person providing care or sustenance for a period of thirty days or longer shall be deemed the owner of such animal and shall adhere to the provision of the section.

(d)

Subsection (c) above shall not be interpreted to apply to a person caring for barn cats or a colony of feral cats if such person:

(1)

Registers (at no charge) with the Peninsula Humane Society or San Mateo County Animal Control Services as a caretaker for barn cats or feral cats. Such registration shall be optional for barn cats or feral cat colonies located within RM-CZ (Resource Management Coastal Zone) or the PAD (Planned Agricultural District);

(2)

Regularly feeds or arranges for the feeding of the cats, including on weekends and holidays;

(3)

Traps or makes a reasonable effort to trap all barn or feral cats over the age of eight (8) weeks in his/her care, and has them spayed or neutered;

(4)

Has all trapped cats tested for feline leukemia and has those who test positive humanely euthanized or isolated indoors;

(5)

Identifies barn or feral cats that have been spayed or neutered by means of ear notching, ear tipping, or ear tagging;

(6)

Has all trapped cats vaccinated according to state and local laws.

(Prior code § 3332.4; Ord. 3344, 11/19/91; Ord. 3653, 5/23/95)