Walker County Enacts Spay / Neuter Ordinance

Pet owners in Walker County must now ensure their dogs and cats are spayed or neutered following approval of a new ordinance. The Walker County Board of Commissioners recently made changes to the county's Animal Code to provide for spay/neuter requirements.

"We are extremely thankful the Board has supported us by taking a proactive approach to decreasing pet overpopulation in our county," said Bailey Clements, director of animal services. "Our shelter took in over 2,000 dogs and cats last year and sadly less than 9% had been spayed or neutered."

The code now states that no person may own, keep, or be in possession of a dog or cat that is six months of age or older which has not been spayed or neutered, unless they fall into one of three exemptions or hold a license for an unaltered animal.

Exemptions include:
1) A person who holds an active commercial breeder's license or pet dealer's license issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture
2) A person holds a signed a document from a veterinarian expressing a medical opinion that the dog or cat should not be spayed or neutered for health reasons
3) The dog or cat is deemed to be a working animal trained and employed for farming, herding, hunting, service or show, with written proof such as training, law enforcement, or other actual activity as a working or documented service animal

Residents who do not want to spay or neuter their pets must obtain an Unaltered Animal License annually. The license is issued in the form of a metal tag that must be attached to the animal's collar to be worn at all times.

The Board set the fee for an Unaltered Animal License at $50 for cats and $100 for dogs at its June 4th meeting. Proceeds from the license will be used to help fund the county's spay/neuter voucher program, which has nearly 500 residents on a waitlist. "We will remain diligent in assisting owners with spay/neuter, vaccines, and other resources," added Clements.

In addition to the new unaltered animal license, people found in violation of any animal related offense will be required to alter their animal.

The spay/neuter ordinance and unaltered animal license will be reviewed by the Board at its November 5, 2026 meeting to see how the new requirements are working and if further changes need to be made.