Legislation By State

St. Louis, MO: mandatory sterilization & microchipping, pet store sales ban

A bill under consideration in the St. Louis Board of Aldermen could make St. Louis one of the most restrictive cities in the nation when it comes to owning cats and dogs.

Board Bill 107 would require all pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs and cats and microchip them for identification. Those who don't want to sterilize their pets would be assessed a fee of $200 per year....

The bill would also ban pet stores in the city from selling cats and dogs -- something that's not so much of an issue. The city only has one pet store, the PetsMart on South Kingshighway, which doesn't sell cats and dogs. However, the store will still be allowed to adopt out dogs and cats through its partnership with animal rescue operations.

Those who choose not to sterilize their animals would have to apply for a "hobby breeder" license with the city and pay $200 each year.

Source: Bill Would Require Nearly All St. Louis Dogs and Cats to Be Sterilized By Chad Garrison, blogs.riverfronttimes.com