Caddo Commission passes key legislation at August 8 meeting

AUGUST 8, 2024

CADDO PARISH COMMISSION REENACTS PARISHWIDE SPAY/NEUTER LEGISLATION; ADOPTS ORGANIZATIONAL LIVING WAGE

Caddo Parish, LA – The Caddo Parish Commission passed legislation aimed at promoting public safety, as well as establishing a living wage for employees of the Parish of Caddo organization at their regular session meeting held on August 8.

The Commission amended and reenacted parish wide spay/neuter legislation designed to reduce the number of intakes and euthanasia of animals in Caddo Parish.

The ordinance, which was originally adopted by the Commission in 2022, requires most dogs and cats within Caddo Parish to be spayed or neutered, with additional requirements and some exemptions.

“Caddo Parish Animal Services currently takes in between 4,000-5,000 animals each year,” said Caddo Parish Animal Services Director Travis Clark. “With the reenactment of this ordinance, the goal is to humanely reduce the number of dogs and cats taken in by Animal Services, and to reduce any subsequent euthanasia as we address population control,” said Clark. 

The amended spay/neuter ordinance applies to all unincorporated areas of Caddo Parish to dogs and cats that now are at least 26 weeks or older (6 months).

The ordinance does provide exclusions under the following conditions:

1. Any dog or cat that is registered with the officially recognized pedigree/kennel club associations (American Kennel Club, American Dog Breeding Association, etc.), providing that the owner can provide annual proof of membership and participation in show at least once a year in events sponsored by the organization.

2. Animals with a chronic health condition or disease whose health will be seriously or permanently affected by a spay/neuter procedure, providing that the owner provides official documentation by a licensed veterinarian.

3. Sporting dog breeds utilized for hunting activities that are up to date on all vaccinations and possess tracking collars.

4. Animal establishment owners as well as those who have breeding permits (intact females) or intact permits (males), providing that these animals are microchipped and that the permit is obtained annually.

The honest exception clause, included in the previous legislation, has now been removed. 

The primary penalty for violation of this section shall be a citation, not to exceed $250.00 and the cost of microchipping the animal.  Upon follow up after 30 days of the first citation, the owner shall have a documented appointment for spay/neuter or receive an additional citation, not to exceed $500.00.  The spay and neuter legislation goes into effect immediately.

The Commission also adopted an ordinance that increases the minimum classified pay rate to $15/hour for Parish of Caddo employees in an effort to ensure and provide a living wage.  

“The Parish of Caddo is committed to promoting better quality and increasing retention and productivity for our employees,” said Caddo Parish Commission Economic Development chair Gregory Young. “The legislation approved today reaffirms our dedication to the quality of life of our organization’s employees and provision of services to the citizens of Caddo Parish,” said Young.   The living wage ordinance goes into effect January 1, 2025.