A “spay-or-pay” ordinance requiring permits for unaltered pets is heading to the Waco City Council today for a discussion and possible vote.

Under the ordinance, owners who want to keep their dog or cat reproductively intact must pay an annual $50 permit or face a fine.

The Animal Control Advisory Committee proposed the ordinance in an effort to cut down the population of unwanted and stray animals.

The council discussed the ordinance in March and agreed to move forward to a vote.

The council is set to discuss the ordinance today in its 3 p.m. work session and vote on it in the 6 p.m. business session. The council will meet at the Operations Training Center, 1415 N. Fourth St.

Under the ordinance, animals are exempt if they are younger than six months; they are held at a retail pet store or shelter; they are trained for public safety work; or they have a veterinarian’s written certification that they should not be neutered.

Those with permits must register their pet with the city and must include the registration number in any advertisement for the sale of the animal.

A permitted animal is allowed only one litter a year.

City officials said animal control officers won’t go door to door checking pets but will mostly enforce the ordinance when animals are running loose.

Also at today’s work session, the council will get a presentation on the project to turn the old Hillcrest Tower into a new police headquarters.

jbsmith@wacotrib.com

757-5752

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