(b) Prior to performing spay
euter surgery at any animal shelter:
(i) All animals in such shelter's custody or possession shall receive
an examination by a duly licensed veterinarian within twenty-four hours
of surgery and anesthesia. Such examination may be performed under
sedation or anesthesia if, due to the animal's behavior, an examination
is not possible while awake.
(ii) Balanced anesthetic protocols that include sedation, the
provision of pre- and post-operative analgesia, stress reduction, muscle
relaxation and controlled, reversible loss of consciousness shall be
utilized for all animals.
(iii) While surgery is being performed, the operating area shall be
dedicated to surgery and contain the necessary equipment for anesthesia
and patient monitoring.
(iv) Aseptic surgical technique shall be required, and separate
sterile instruments shall be used for each patient. All instruments and
equipment shall be maintained in proper working condition.
(v) A permanent tattoo shall be placed on the ventral abdomen of
shelter-owned cats and dogs at the time of spay or neuter.
(vi) Each animal shelter shall provide adoptive owners instructions in
both written and verbal forms for ten-day post-operative care of
recently spayed or neutered animals.
(c) Written protocols required by section four hundred twenty-three of
this chapter, shall be followed to handle related post-operative
emergencies.
* NB Effective December 15, 2025
Structure New York Laws