Effective - 28 Aug 1992
273.403. Sterilization of all cats and dogs adopted or purchased from animal shelters or animal control agencies, procedure. — 1. Provisions shall be made for the sterilization of all dogs and cats sold or released for adoption or purchased from any public or private animal shelter or animal control agency operated by a humane society, or by a county or city, or other political subdivision. Such provisions may be made by:
(1) Providing for sterilization by a licensed veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the animal; or
(2) Entering into a written agreement with the adopter or purchaser guaranteeing that sterilization will be performed by a licensed veterinarian, in compliance with a sterilization agreement which shall contain the following information:
(a) The date of the agreement;
(b) The name, address, and signature of the releasing agency and the adopter;
(c) A description of the animal to be adopted;
(d) A statement printed in conspicuous bold print that sterilization of the animal is required pursuant to sections 273.400 to 273.405;
(e) A sterilization completion date which shall be either:
a. The thirtieth day after the date of adoption in the case of an adult animal; or
b. The thirtieth day after a specified date estimated to be the date an adopted infant female or male puppy or kitten becomes six months of age; or
c. If the releasing agency has a written policy recommending sterilization of certain infant animals at an earlier date, the thirtieth day after the date contained in* the written policy.
2. An adopter that signs a sterilization agreement shall have the adopted animal sterilized on or before the sterilization date stated in the agreement. If the sterilization completion date stated in the agreement falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline may be extended to the first day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. The releasing agency may extend the deadline for thirty days on the presentation of a letter or telephone report from a licensed veterinarian stating that the life or health of the adopted animal may be jeopardized by sterilization. There shall be no limit to the number of extensions that may be granted for this reason.
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(L. 1992 S.B. 636 § 8)
*Word "after" appears in original rolls.
Structure Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XVII - Agriculture and Animals
Section 273.010 - Dog defined.
Section 273.020 - Recovery of damages for sheep killed — disposition of dog, penalty.
Section 273.030 - Dogs may be killed, when.
Section 273.036 - Owner liable, when — fine, amount.
Section 273.040 - Dog defined.
Section 273.050 - Dog tax, when due.
Section 273.060 - Amount of tax.
Section 273.080 - License fastened to dog's collar.
Section 273.090 - License tags and certificates, how furnished.
Section 273.100 - Impounding of dogs — redemption — fees — penalty.
Section 273.110 - Application to recover damages from fund.
Section 273.120 - Examination of applications, pass judgment.
Section 273.130 - Records to be kept — warrants — funds prorated, when.
Section 273.150 - Failure to pay tax — penalty — exceptions.
Section 273.160 - Assessor to list all dogs — notify owner of tax.
Section 273.170 - Applicability of law — petition — election.
Section 273.180 - Repeal of license tax on dogs — procedure.
Section 273.325 - Citation of law — definitions.
Section 273.340 - Dealers to purchase only from licensed or exempt persons — violation, penalties.
Section 273.347 - Court action for enforcement, when — crime of canine cruelty, penalty.
Section 273.359 - Stacked cages without impervious barrier prohibited, penalty.