Hollister veterinarian Jerry Leroux has mixed feelings about the
proposed legislation that would require animal lovers to spay or
neuter their cats and dogs if state legislators approve a bill to
require the surgeries.
Hollister veterinarian Jerry Leroux has mixed feelings about the proposed legislation that would require animal lovers to spay or neuter their cats and dogs if state legislators approve a bill to require the surgeries.
The bill is known as the California Healthy Pets Act and has been approved by the Assembly. The Senate Local Government Committee is set to review it this spring. The bill would mandate that most pet owners would need to fix their pets. There would be some exceptions such as for animal breeders, police dogs, show dogs or pets that are ill or too old. Family pets would be allowed to have one litter before being spayed or neutered, according to AB 1634.
Linda Dike, a volunteer at the Pet Friends adoption agency in Hollister, said it’s a “catch 22.” There would have to be police enforcement because animal shelter employees are overworked already, she said.
People ultimately need to be more educated about the importance of spaying or neutering animals, she said.
“I’m for everyone to spay and neuter (their animals),” Dike said.
According to the California Taxpayers for Safe and Healthy Pets, an overpopulation of domestic animals forces local agencies in California to euthanize more than a half-million dogs and cats each year. It costs $250 million of taxpayers’ money to euthanize the animals, according to the Web site. Its proponents argue that AB 1634 could save taxpayers millions of dollars.
“AB 1634 is a humane and cost-effective way to reduce that overpopulation,” according to the Web site.
Peggie Lairson, treasurer at All Creatures Great and Small Rescue, said there needs to be a low-cost spay and neuter program set up. The bill would help with unwanted pets, she said.
If the bill is passed, California would be the first state to have a bill of this kind. Under the Act, people would have to get their animals spayed or neutered by the time they are six months old, unless the owner has a permit. Anyone who does not have a permit and is caught with an unfixed pet would face a $500 fine.
Vivian Kennedy, president of All Creatures, said she is absolutely in favor of the bill. There are way to many dogs and cats being euthanized, she said.
“If passed (there) will (be) a lot of outcry against the bill,” Kennedy said.
“A con to the bill is it doesn’t target the puppy mill industry,” Kennedy said. “It’s set up like a pyramid with the puppy mill first, then the middleman and, finally, the distributors.”
Even with mixed feelings, Leroux thinks it’s a good idea.
“People don’t like to be told what to do,” he said.
Lynette Holm, who has had her cat for 14 years, said people really should get their animals fixed. Cats tend to spray, and it’s not sanitary, she said. Getting your animal fixed would help stop pregnancies and overpopulation problems, she said.
If someone wants to place an advertisement to sell an animal, they would have to get a permit for that, too.
“Dogfighters won’t do it,” Dike said.
Dike wasn’t sure if she favored the bill. But she said if that’s how it has to be done, so be it.
Animal Control Director Julie Carreiro declined to say if she was for or against the bill because, she said, the wording of the proposed legislation keeps changing.
