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Spaying or neutering your pets, which ever the case may be, is one of the most responsible decisions a pet owner can make. Responsible, being the key word here. Is everyone that owns a pet responsible? Unfortunately, and realistically, the answer is no.

Now, let's assume the choice to spay or neuter your pet is no longer a voluntary decision that can be made by a pet owner. Let's assume that legislation is going govern this decision for all pet owners. Is this a good thing? Absolutely.

Considering the alarming, and continually soaring rates of overpopulated pets in the United States it would be hard for one to argue that some type of intervention, or legislation is not needed to protect animal rights.

Does this type of legislation make those who have always been responsible for caring for their pets any less responsible? Of course not. Pet owners who have initiated this procedure on their own, have done so out of a conscience, selfless, educated decision. Now, does this type of legislation make those people who have not accepted this responsibility on their own initiative more responsible? Most certainly.

Unfortunately, many people do not have their pets spayed or neutered. While there are a few reasons why people choose not to have their pets spayed or neutered, the most common reason is based solely on the expense of the procedure. Factor in the time and inconvenience of taking the pet to the veterinarian, and the minimum care of the pet afterwords, and an irresponsible pet owner is now breed. For proof, simply look at the statistics, millions of dogs and cats are place in shelters throughout the United States each year.

In 2006, the Human Society of the United States estimated there are six to eight million cats and dogs entering shelters every year. Can the shelters continue to bear the cost of irresponsibility? No, they cannot. The statistics are alarming. An average cat can produce three litters of cats a year, with each liter bearing on average, four to six kittens each time.

Dogs, on average, can bear two litters a year. With each litter producing somewhere between six to ten puppies each time. If these litters are not spayed or neutered the cycle will continue.

Legislative, or mandatory spaying and neutering may not appear practical, but it appears necessary. Just as all other laws have been legislated, not necessarily based on practicality, but rather out of necessity, there should be laws legislated regarding this situation also.

Is there an effective way to enforce legislative spaying or neutering? Our government has always managed to enforce the creation of new laws. This is what they do, this is their job. The creation of this type of legislation would not be overtly challenging to them, in fact, California currently has a bill pending legislation of a spay & neuter law. Their law would require pet owners to steralize their dogs or cats before they are five months old. There are reasonable exemptions to this proposed bill. And, the penalty for failing to comply with this law, if it passes, would be a $500.00 fine.

www.hsus.org
www.catchannel.com

Learn more about this author, EM Schmidt.
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