Ojai Municipal Code Art. 8 Mandatory Sterilization of Dogs and Cats

The intent of this article is to create a culture and common practice of sterilization of dogs and cats. Education and voluntary compliance is the preferred method of achieving sterilization, with enforcement measures as a last resort. Nothing in this article shall make veterinarians mandatory reporters of animals that have not been sterilized.

(§ 4, Ord. 883, eff. March 15, 2018)

For purposes of this chapter, sterilization shall mean any medical procedure performed by a veterinarian on a dog or cat that prevents reproduction of that dog or cat. No person domiciled within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City shall own a dog or cat over the age of six months that has not been sterilized, unless valid written documentation is provided to the City to show proof that the animal is exempt from the requirement to be sterilized by reason of one of the following:

(a) The dog is being, or has been, appropriately trained and is actively being used in a manner that meets the definition of a guide, signal, or service dog as set forth in California Penal Code Section 365.5, subdivisions (d), (e), and (f), or the dog is enrolled in a guide dog program administered by a person licensed under California Business and Professions Code Section 7200 et seq.

(b) The dog is being, or has been, appropriately trained and is actively used by law enforcement agencies, the military, or search and rescue organizations, for law enforcement, military, or search and rescue activities.

(c) The dog is a male large breed dog who is less than 24 months old or a female large breed dog who has not yet experienced her first season of heat. For purposes of this section, "large breed dog" means a dog that weighs over 40 pounds.

(d) The owner of the dog or cat provides a letter from a licensed veterinarian certifying that the animal's health would be best served by sterilization after a specified date; or, that due to age, poor health, or illness of the animal, it is detrimental to the health of the animal to have it sterilized; or, that arrangements have been made to sterilize the animal within 60 days. This letter shall include the veterinarian's license number and, if applicable, the date by which the animal may safely be sterilized.

(§ 4, Ord. 883, eff. March 15, 2018; as amended by § 4, Ord. 933, eff. September 23, 2022; Ord. 960, 10/22/2024, eff. 11/21/2024)

All dogs and cats over the age of four months shall be implanted with an animal identification device (or microchip), at the owner's expense, identifying the owner of the animal. The owner shall notify the City and the national registry applicable to the implanted chip, of a change of owner, address or telephone number.

(§ 4, Ord. 883, eff. March 15, 2018, as amended by § 4, Ord. 933, eff. September 23, 2022)

Every act prohibited or declared unlawful by this chapter, and every failure to perform an act made mandatory by this chapter, shall be punishable as a misdemeanor or an infraction at the discretion of the City Attorney or the District Attorney, in accord with Ojai Municipal Code Section 1-2.03. In addition, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is a public nuisance subject to abatement as provided in this Code or under California law.

(§ 4, Ord. 883, eff. March 15, 2018, as amended by § 4, Ord. 933, eff. September 23, 2022)