1. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a releasing agency shall not release a pet that is:

   1. (a) Four months old or older unless the pet has been sterilized; or

   2. (b) Less than 4 months old unless the pet is released to a new owner who:

      1. (1) Is of competent legal capacity;
      2. (2) Pays to the releasing agency a deposit equal to the prevailing cost to sterilize that type of pet in the county in which the releasing agency is located, as determined by the releasing agency, or $25, whichever is greater; and
      3. (3) Signs an agreement for sterilization that meets the requirements set forth in NRS 574.645.

2. 2. This section does not apply to:

   1. (a) A pet that:

      1. (1) Is reclaimed from a releasing agency by a person who already owns the pet; or
      2. (2) Cannot be sterilized because it is exotic or for another legitimate reason, as determined by a veterinarian.
   2. (b) A releasing agency that imposes higher or more stringent standards for the adoption of pets.
   3. (c) The temporary transfer of the custody of a pet that requires medical attention from a releasing agency to a veterinarian.
   4. (d) The temporary or permanent transfer of the custody of a pet from one releasing agency to another releasing agency.

(Added to NRS by 1997, 2554)