Go to previous versions of this Section
2021 (you are here)
2020
2019
2018
2017
Other previous versions

2021 Tennessee Code
Title 44 - Animals and Animal Husbandry
Chapter 17 - Dogs and Cats
Part 5 - Spay/neuter Law
§ 44-17-503. Deposit — Forfeiture of Deposit — Use of Forfeited Deposits

Universal Citation: TN Code § 44-17-503 (2021)
Previous Next
  1. If the dog or cat being adopted has not been spayed or neutered, the agency shall require a deposit of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) from the new owner prior to the adoption in order to ensure that the dog or cat is spayed or neutered. The new owner may request and shall receive a refund of the deposit from the agency upon providing confirmation of the spaying or neutering.


    1. If the new owner fails to have the dog or cat spayed or neutered within the time frame established by § 44-17-502, or if the spaying or neutering is timely performed, but the new owner fails to request the return of the deposit within an additional ten (10) days after the date by which the spaying or neutering is required to be performed, the deposit shall be forfeited to the agency holding the deposit and shall be used by the agency to conduct programs to spay or neuter dogs and cats in the community where the agency is located.

    2. The forfeited deposit may also be used to defray operational expenses of the programs, including, but not limited to, costs for purchasing food, medications, tests, upgrades for the animal housing areas, or any other supplies or products which would improve the quality of life for dogs or cats in such programs.

    3. No forfeited deposit may be used to pay salaries of persons employed by any agency located within the county.

    4. Before the forfeited deposits may be used by an agency for the purposes set out in this subsection (b), the agency shall maintain a minimum balance in the forfeited deposit fund of no less than the total amount of unclaimed deposits collected during the previous six-month period.
Previous Next
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.