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Add to FavoritesThe pet overpopulation problem in the United States is as bad as ever as negligent pet owners have pets with litters of "accident" puppies and kittens every minute. This negligence is often caused by ignorance, laziness, or simply not caring about the consequences to the health of their pet and their pet's young. Whatever the reason, thousands of animals die in shelters every year because someone somewhere didn't do the right thing. Are laws that mandate spaying and neutering for all pets the answer? Personally, I think these laws are not enforceable. At the same time, I believe they are immensely practical and would do a world of good in the direction of curtailing the pet overpopulation problem.
Does this sound a little contradictory? I don't think so. First and foremost, many pets do not get spayed or neutered because either the owners don't make it a priority or because they don't see the need to get their animal fixed. Recently, a dog I know nearly died because her owner hadn't seen the importance in spaying her - that is, not until an infection in her uterus necessitated an emergency spaying operation. Her owner is a law-abiding citizen and were it the law, he would have spayed her immediately after he got her. I am convinced that he is not the only one "on the fence" about whether or not to get his pet fixed, putting this action into law would ensure that those pets, at least, would be spayed and neutered.
Is it enough to create a law that requires people to spay and neuter their pets? No, it's not. Hundreds of animals live outside the jurisdiction of animal control or reside in secluded housing where attention is never brought to them. It would be all too tempting for people with these pets not to comply with a spay and neuter law. However, most of these owners are conscientious pet people, so if the mandatory laws are backed up with campaigns on television, radio, internet etc. educating people about the overpopulation issues and potential health hazards for intact animals, the likelihood that they will spay or neuter their pets just went up.
Next, how many people don't get their pets spayed and neutered because of the cost of the operation? Many places have spay/neuter clinics that offer to do it for a nominal fee, sometimes even free, but in most areas these only happen once or twice a year. What if you're working during that time? What if you're out of town? If spaying and neutering becomes law, it's only fair that that law offers a way to make it possible for lower income whether it be through grants, connections with independent foundations such as the SPCA or similar avenues.
I also believe that there are measures that can be taken right now without any laws in effect. There are many things individual shelters can do to help ensure that some animals, at least, do get spayed. Most shelters do not allow the animals to be adopted before they're spayed or neutered, but what about the ones that are already out of the shelter? I believe that shelters should require proof of spaying for the mother before accepting litters of accident puppies or kittens to ensure that these are the last from this animal. Alternatively, shelters or local pet-related organizations could offer housing placement help for the young with a confirmed spaying of the mother. Ideally, this would result in puppies and kittens having homes already by the time they're ready to leave their mother rather than taxing the shelter's space and resources.
Yes, I understand that some animals are intended for breeding, their owners have obtained these high-quality dogs or cats specifically for breeding and do not want them spayed or neutered. In these cases, I believe the animals should be specifically licensed as breeding animals. Ideally, kennel inspections would also be in order to ensure that the owners are properly set up to handle litters and that the animals are all being treated humanely.
No, I don't believe that mandatory spay and neuter laws are enforceable. However, just because a law is unenforceable doesn't mean it's useless. Far from it, in fact, as I've detailed above. I know many won't agree with this assessment, but I encourage anyone who wonders what kind of impact negligence in pet breeding causes to spend some time volunteering at your local animal shelter. No matter where you are in the country, there are animals who suffer because of irresponsible humans, regardless of whether the puppies or kittens in question were well cared-for or not. Until all animal shelters are empty, I believe it is our responsibility to eliminate accidental breeding and exercise responsible breeding if it must be done at all.
Learn more about this author, Rebecca Brown.
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Yes
Would a neutering plan save pets? Absolutely, when enforced. It would also save tax payers money as the problem of overpopulation in shelters goes down.
The Dallas City Council is considering a new ordinance to require mandatory spaying and neutering of pets, limits on how many pets can be kept in a single-family household, and a tightening of the rules affecting dangerous dogs.
Two proposed laws currently read as follows:
- Requiring all dogs and cats to be spayed and neutered, except those owned by people with breeder permits issued by the city government. Animals under 4 months old and those exhibiting applicable medical conditions would also be exempt. Breeder permits would cost $500 annually and would subject those in possession to random city inspections.
- Allowing city residents to keep no more than six dogs, cats or a combination in a single-family home. Animal foster or rescue operations could keep more upon obtaining permission from the city's animal services director. People with more than six animals would be grandfathered, meaning they would not have to give up pets they own.
As expected, this has stirred up a torrent of opinions and discussion in the world of breeders, rescuers, shelter workers and pet enthusiast.
But I ask you, what will it take to control the problem of animal over population? In 2007 the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter took in more than 7000 dogs and cats, most of them strays and many of them litters of puppies and kittens. Is it unreasonable to enforce a law that requires pet owners to spay or neuter their pets? Or, is it an intrusion on a pet owner's rights?
In my opinion, something must be done to end this insanity and cut down on the lost and abandoned animals. I would like to see tighter regulations enforced on breeders so the responsible American Kennel Club breeders are encouraged to continue, the Puppy Mills put out of business and the naive back yard breeders are forced to discontinue letting their dogs breed each year.
I also challenge anyone who disagrees to come spend a week volunteering at the city animal shelter to see what comes in and doesn't go out, and most of all, walk the kennels and look the dogs and cats in their eyes when it's time to pick who has to be euthanized because there's no room to take in any more animals that day. You will soon realize that the enemy is not the city shelter. The enemies are irresponsible breeders and the average pet owner who refuses to get their pet spayed or neutered resulting in more cats and dogs that can be handled in one county. The dogs and cats are the innocent victims.
We absolutely need a municipal animal shelter where the public can bring in animals that are loose, stray or otherwise, and it is city money well spent, but wouldn't it be nice if we were able to adopt out more every month than are euthanized?
Yes, this is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Having been involved in our local shelter for a few years now I know first hand that we cannot adopt out animals fast enough to end this tragedy. The only way to end the senseless killing of surplus pets is by implementing enforceable mandatory spay/neuter laws. The passing of these kinds of ordinances will be important to both animals and taxpayers, and if it passes in Dallas, hopefully the other cities in DFW and Parker County will soon follow suit.
Learn more about this author, Denise Cook.
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