Title
Consider a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2025.10 seeking to enact a Spay and Neuter Ordinance for cats and dogs to address pet overpopulation, euthanasia rates, and overcrowded shelters with minimal staffing.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2025.10;
b. Provide direction on a preferred referral processing option:
i. Proceed with completion of referral as outlined in preliminary report;
ii. Proceed with completion of referral based on modifications by Board;
iii. Return to Board with a more comprehensive analysis of referral and anticipated effort for completion; or
iv. Rescind referral.
c. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
Board Referral No. 2025.10 was issued by Supervisor Alejo and assigned to the Health Department on August 26, 2025. This referral seeks to enact a mandatory Spay and Neuter Ordinance for dogs and cats to address concerns regarding overpopulation of unwanted pets, impacts on already overcrowded local shelters, and euthanasia rates. In the County of Monterey, the City of Seaside is the only jurisdiction with a Mandatory Spay and Neuter Ordinance requiring cats over 5 months and dogs over 6 months of age to be spayed or neutered. The City of Seaside adopted a mandatory Spay and Neuter Ordinance in November 2024, and it went into effect December 2024. There are other jurisdictions throughout California that have variations of a mandatory spay and neuter ordinance and how those ordinances have affected local populations of dogs and cats has yet to be evaluated by staff.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
Background:
Board Referral No. 2025.10 was assigned to the Health Department on August 26, 2025, to explore feasibility of adopting a mandatory Spay and Neuter Ordinance to reduce unwanted pet population, overcrowding in local animal shelters, and euthanasia rates. In January 2...
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