Caddo Parish Now Requiring Spaying & Neutering Of All Dogs & Cats

Caddo Parish Commission has enacted a new ordinance requiring all dogs and cats in unincorporated areas of the parish be spayed or neutered.  Ordinance 6148 of 2022 is an effort to reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats being euthanized in Caddo Parish.

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Caddo parish is currently heavily overpopulated with 4,000-5,000 animals in custody annually and 20% - 30% of animals euthanized by Caddo Parish staff or die while in Caddo Parish Custody.

The new ordinance states:

No person may own, keep, reside with or harbor a dog or cat within the parish that is not spayed or not neutered.

There are some exceptions to the new ordinance:

 

Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to:

(1) Puppies 52 weeks or younger and Kittens 26 weeks or younger.

(2) Any dog or cat which is registered with the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, American Dog Breeding Association, Continental Kennel Club, Cat Fanciers Association, American Cat Fanciers Association and participates at least once a year in a show sponsored by these organizations. An animal owner who presents proof of registration and participation on an annual basis in a show is exempt from the neutering and spaying requirements of this section.

(3) Animals with a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition whose health will be seriously, permanently and detrimentally affected if it is spayed or neutered. Documented by a licensed Veterinarian.

(4) Animal Establishment owners as defined in Section 8-2 of this code. In addition to those who obtain an intact permit (males)/ breeding permit (females) for their pet which is microchipped and the permit is to be obtained annually to expire on December 31st of every year. (e) The penalty for violation of this Section shall solely be the impounding of the dog believed to qualify under Subsection (a), the neutering/spaying of such dog, and the return of such dog to its owner after an appropriate time for healing after surgery. No monetary penalty shall be imposed for any violation of this Section of the Code of Ordinances. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Caddo Parish shall, at Parish expense, spay or neuter as appropriate any dog found to be in violation of this Ordinance for the duration of this ordinance.

Louisiana Legislature passed a resolution during the 2021 regular session to make Louisiana a no-kill state by December 2025