It is not necessary to point out the very obvious reasons why cats and dogs should be neutered - is there anyone so lacking in intelligence that they do not grasp them immediately ? All my cats and labradors have been neutered and have lived long, healthy and happy lives. Male dogs who are not castrated are quite revolting in their habits and a total nuisance apart from the fact that they may be responsible for a myriad of unwanted, unhappy mongrel puppies. Only licenced and experienced, trained and heavily inspected breeders should be allowed to retain whole male and female dogs and cats. The people who voted NO to neutering must enjoy the sight of millions of unwanted and abandoned domestic pets whose lives are miserable or who are eventually euthanised. We are overrun by these pathetic creatures and need legislation to control those whose emotions rule their common-sense yet who claim to be animal lovers !
Kirby's Mom - 5 months ago
If it were also included in the bill that spaying and neutering would be subsidized to make it a reasonably priced procedure then yes, it should be mandatory for all mutt dogs and cats.
I love mutts. Cat mutts, dog mutts they are wonderful. But the reality is that when we lay our heads down on our comfy pillows tonight, 11,000 dogs, cats, kittens and puppies died today and everyday in the US alone. 11,000 in just one day.
There needs to be something done about this over population problem. Too many innocents are being killed when they should be being loved and petted. There's got to be a moratorium on breeding.
Pet shops that sell dogs and cats need to be shut down. NO reputable breeder sells his or her puppies to a pet shop anyway. They are all from puppy mills. And no matter what regulation there is, animals are kept for breeding stock and spend their lives in cages producing litter after litter after litter and then they are killed when they are no good anymore. Some lucky ones gets a home but don't fool yourself, it's only some.
Another thing!! Rental laws need to be changed to force landlords to accept pets. Sure, have the tenant pay an extra pet deposit. Require that all immunizations be documented and up to date and that ALL pets (Purebred or Mutt) are spayed or neutered. NO ONE should have to be forced to choose between a roof over their heads and their fuzzy family members. NO ONE! This goes for old age homes too. There is NO good reason that pets are not allowed from many assistant living and retirement communities. Oh well, you are too old to live on your own, time to kill your pets. REALLY?
Older people, who have pets, live longer and happier lives. Why cause such a separation? Can they bring in 27 cats....well, no that wouldn't be a good idea for anyone. Regardless of your living situation. Rich or poor, this should not be one of the steps to growing older.
A friend of my mother's is moving to the old age high rise in my home town. She's only allowed to have one cat. Like they are nothing more than furnishings. One little cat. So she may have to put her second cat down as she cannot find a home for him and the shelter is full and refuses her cat.
If you feel you need to have restrictions on pets, restrict the weight. Such as, tenants are allowed 35 lbs for total weight for all cats and like, 110lbs for total weight of all dogs. Some you could have more than one cat. 110 lbs? That's like two medium size dogs. That would not be the actual weight of the pets but what they should weigh. Because we all know that our pets are fat just like us! Something like that, but you don't force people to make such a terrible choice. That's just awful! Besides, good, responsible pet owners would jump at the change to live in a good,pet friendly place. and long term tenants make the landlord more money.
ALL OF THAT being said. Because I am really tired and went off on a tangent.... sorry some things had to be said.
All (mutt) dogs and cats should be spayed and neutered and there should be a forced moratorium on breeders breeding anymore for like five years.
Anita - 2 years ago
No one has added a comment to this for months, so just let me say that I work with a TNR colony at a fairground in PA and in the last two weeks I delivered two females to the people that get them spayed an neutered. I have been doing this for 10 years. No matter how many laws are passed re: spaying and neutering there will always be an animal that will not be done. A moratorium on the pet population could exist for a few years. I would rather be looking for animals (backwoods areas, farms, countrysides) that do not follow the rules, than to find thousands of kittens and puppies being set up for euthanization. Of course, this will never happen. this is a free country, therefore, people have the right to have pets which they later discard and those pets will continue to populatel and die of starvation or in shelters and no one stops it. The only way this population will end is through mass extinction and according to the indigenous groups of people in their propheicies that is just around the corner.
Miracle Cat - 2 years ago
Bottom line, there are way too many irresponsible, abusive, cruel and neglectful pet guardians out there (in my opinion guardian or caregiver more accurately describes responsible pet care since they're sentient beings not property). I've lost count how many abused, abandoned, traumatized, tortured, neglected, sick pets I've rescued, fostered, rehabilitated and placed into loving forever families over the years and it breaks my heart to hear people justify their reprehensible actions by saying "It's JUST an animal, what's the big deal?" The big deal is that by backyard breeders, puppy/kitten mills and pet stores buying and selling living beings to people who make impulse purchases because "S/he's SOOO cute!" and then they can no longer be bothered with providing proper food, water, shelter, medical care, attention and basic comforts because the "cute" baby has grown up and surprise, surprise, s/he has basic needs. Breeding sentient beings to be discarded like trash doesn't make sense to me. People are forgetting about the appalling euthanasia statistics for pets in North America and as far as those stats go on average shelters euthanize twice as many cats (all ages) as they do dogs (all ages). Overpopulation is only one cause of death in private vet clinics and shelter environments, for example, I've seen animals be euthanized because they're inconvenient (why bother getting a pet if they're so inconvenient?) or human being simply no longer want to take responsibility. Enough is enough with the whole pet store BS of marketing kittens and puppies too young to leave their mothers without any concern whatsoever when it comes to what happens when people in general believe that these babies grow out of the cute stage....Animals need to stop dying for no reason beyond that they're suddenly not wanted for any number of reasons and pet parents and society need to shake their heads, quit with the impulse buying or seasonal gifts of pets and work towards humane education to stop this horrible cycle of unwanted pets being thrown away onto the streets, admitted to shelters (most are euthanized in too many cases), abused, abandoned, euthanized in private vet clinics or neglected. Animals are being victimized at startling rates in one form or another and it's a scary thought if human beings are judged on the way they treat vulnerable beings whether those beings are human beings or animals. I'm not entirely sure that legislation is the answer to this problem, but I certainly agree that there ought to be something done on a massive scale such as putting a reasonable cap on the price of spay/neuter surgery in private clinics and offering incentives like a coupon towards future medical expenses or even a tax break. Somehow this cycle needs to end, but to be honest it's so out of control that I have no idea how to even go about fixing it.....I just know that animals have to stop dying as a direct result of human incompetance, abuse, neglect, ignorance and overall lack of willingness to take responsibility. I am currently a privelaged guardian of three spoiled rotten mixed breed cats, they were all rescues from horrifying situations and they are all spayed and neutered so that they don't contribute to the horrifying overpopulation statistics. I chose to have my cats spayed/neutered because I don't feel that I have the resources to be absolutely certain that I'm placing the cat into a permanent home where his/her caregiver will be responsible and provide wholesome food, good interaction, toys, treats, cozy spots to rest, etc, etc, etc - I need to know that the cat will have a lifetime home if I place him/her and that's just not always possible. I don't envy the animal shelters and rescue groups their task of attempting to find proper homes for an endless stream of unwanted pets.
valerie palluzzi - 2 years ago
I believe that most cats & dogs should be neutered & spayed. Only quality & disease-free (no congential or genetic defect animals should be bred) It is up to local veterinarians' to discuss responsible cat/dog/puppy/kitten ownership with an emphasis on spaying/neutering pet quality type animals. (No backyard, "I think she is so cute we want more like her" type of breeders) Working in the veterinary field for more than 23 years I'd seen too many backyard breedings & poor quality sickly puppies (puppy mill/store) never able to reach their 2 years old birthday due to major defects & health issues. Sad.
Joann - 2 years ago
As far as yes versus no on spaying and neutering, spend a couple of years doing rescue work...you'll vote "yes" in a heartbeat. The world will never run out of dogs and cats. And as far as breeders, take a stroll at your town shelter and see how many purebred dogs are sadly spending their last days occupying a cold and dirty cage. Those dogs were once puppies who were chosen from a litter at a breeder. Now those same puppies are depressed, scared and waiting, sadly, to be euthanized.
As I said, spend a few years doing rescue work, see the thousands of animals gassed, stuck in the heart with drugs to kill them...you will end up wanting every single cat and dog spayed and neutered to try and put an end to the suffering that is happening daily, as we sit in our comfortable homes with our pets, those millions of dogs and cats killed every day...if the law has to be made to prevent that, then so be it. The suffering needs to stop.
And as far as educating people, go ahead, try that. It works for a few...the others could care less. They would rather buy new shoes than have their dog or cat spayed or neutered. Think that doesn't happen? Do rescue for a few years,,,you'll see it all.
Diane Depue - 2 years ago
yes all cats, dogs and rabbits should be neutered. For those who believe that there wouldn't be any more left. The are millions of homeless animals on the streets that are still reproducing- there will never ever be a shortage of these animals. Go to any shelter how many of those animals ever find homes? less than 30 %. The rest of them are euthanised because no one wants them. Their only crime was being born, worse yet, they could wind up in some medical labs. If you are that heartless and allow this to continue- you are the the animal haters. The only time any animal should be free to reproduce is if they are on the endangered species list. That is justifiable. Become a rescuer and see how difficult it is to find homes for these animals. Rescuers save lives by giving a temporary home to animals and thus reducing the population in the shelters. It may still take additional months or years before a home can be found for these animals. And the unaltered animals continue to reproduce. Thus more and more needless death. Save a life- spay and neuter your pets!
Breeders should be DRASTICALLY controlled and I don't mean just the "puppy mills". For the general public, education and low cost spay/neuter programs are essential. I volunteer with a local Trap, Neuter, Release program. Every week, I mean every week, there are a half dozen new kittens found in my local area - and its a small area. It is appalling how many tens of thousands of animals are put to sleep each year due to the lack of any available home for them. I cannot say YES to a law that would require mandatory spay/neuter as I too would not want to live in a world without pet dogs & cats. EDUCATON is key. LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER is key. Those of us who volunteer for these feed and rescue programs realize we can't fix the entire world, but we know we can help fix our own small part of the world. Do the right thing. When you see an abandoned animal, try to help or contact someone who can or will help. Give up the cost of dinner out Friday night and take the animal to be spayed or neutered! Did you buy a soda or cup of coffee out today instead of taking it from home? That money could have fed an abandoned dog or cat for the day. Compasion is a great thing!!
Andrea - 2 years ago
I answered yes but with the exception that the law should be flexible enough to allow certified breeders (not puppy mills) and individuals to breed pure blood, AKC (or the international equivalent) registered animals. Not only would this be better for the health of many animals it would help to preclude the breeding of the so called "petigreed" American Pitbull, which in fact is not a pure blood breed. Living in North Carolina and having worked on a county level as an animal cruelty investigator we didn't the Vick's case to make us aware of dog fighting rings which almost exclusively use the so called pure bred American Pitbull. While we're at it, maybe the AKC should turn to the International breeding certification standards for their requirements for registering a pure breed. Most European breeding associations will not accept certain American bred pure bloods into their breeding stock because of our propensity for inbreeding and creating genetic predispositions towards certain ailments, i.e. American bred Great Danes have a high incidence of deafness, American bred Labrador Retrievers tend to get brain cancers, American bred German Shepherds are frequently diagnosed with hip displacure, etc. etc. etc. I'm not saying that all these breeds should not be allowed to reproduce, but I am saying that better guidelines for breeding practices should be introduced and adhered to in the U.S. I'm hopping off my soap box now, but I have been blessed with my pets having long and healthly lives which I directly correlate to their being spayed/neutered.
Heather - 2 years ago
I believe there are some people that should not own pets, just as there are some people that should not have children. If there are going to be any kind of controls or restrictions to the number of litters pets can have, then there should also be controls on the number of kids people can have.
To have a blanket NO is wrong or the species will die out. No matter what the species.
I dont think that would be a very good law as it is giving the breeders an easier way to charge more for the pets,also they would be in control.I see a lot of dogs that need homes and a lot of them are pure or designer breeds.I love all dogs and would hate to see the day when they are all alike and over bred with imperfections from breeding too closely.Good breeders are like good pet owners.....very much needed but with a law like this you are giving bad breeders more control.Puppy mills will prosper because dogs will be harder to get.Someone will always try to corner the market by trying to lower the prices and this will mean that it may by not adhering to rules.
Joyce - 2 years ago
Why not spend the money on spaying and neutering all the people going to prison...now that would make good sense!!! Got a bad gene pool there!!!
Bob - 2 years ago
No, I do NOT believe all pets, dogs and cats should be neutered!
I've owned three purebred dogs. All HAVE been. However, if we keep this up, some breeds WILL become non-existent.
It is up to the owner(s), AND so is the RESPONSIBILITY!
dru - 2 years ago
i'm goin with Shan....i have 4 dogs n 8 cats. all r spayed n neutered but that is for THEIR health. there r TOO MANY unwanted, abused pets. if they're spayed n neutered then there shouldn't b an overload. i DO NOT want 2 spay n neuter all the dogs n cats off the face of the earth, tho. i'd b lost without my babies. there just shouldn't b so many breeder n PUPPY MILLS NEED TO BE WIPED OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH...FOREVER!!!!
Dave - 2 years ago
When we adopted Missy from the county shelter 5 years ago as a kitten, the $54 fee included spaying. We were also informed that if she wasn't spayed within a certain time frame, she would be taken from us and we would be fined. So sterilization is already the law here, at least as regards shelter adoptions.
Kelli - 2 years ago
I think that the issue at hand isn't about making sure pets are neutered, but rather taking into consideration the irresponsible owners who don't take proper care of their pets! If you allow your animals to mate, then IT IS NECESSARY to give the litter prenatal care! It's vital for the litter to be taken to the vet for a check up! Let us be 100% candid when we say that the proper care isn't regularly provided and in fact, it's rare. Thus, people who are ignorant and too lazy to spay their pets REQUIRE A LAW to be enacted before they decide to give their pet the health care necessary. THE END.
Yvonne - 2 years ago
I agree with most on this page that it we need to keep this a choice and not a law. There are too many laws as there is. This is no longer the land of the free. Saying that, I do believe as a responsible pet owner that not spaying or neutering animals is wrong but if all of them were spayed and neutered, only the rich would be able to afford a pet. I also believe that neutering male cats too young is bad for their health. Just look at all the feline urinary cases. One vet told me that is because once a male is neutered his urethra quits growing and the crystals cannot pass through. These crystals are sharp and cut them causing the infections. I had three male cats, only one was neutered at 6 months. The other two were neutered older since they were strays when I adopted them. Neither of these two developed any problems but the one that was neutered at 6 months almost died from it at 5 years old. I do tell people who adopt male cats to wait longer than 6 months to neuter them, but most shelters neuter them before they adopt them out and others make you sign papers promising to neuter them at 6 months. I have all females now and will not adopt a make cat because of this.
Dean - 2 years ago
I think all breaders should have a license and all pets owned by persons other than breeders should have their pets spayed/neutered.
Wendy H - 2 years ago
I voted no. Some of the best dogs and cats are mixed breeds. In fact, thats how a lot of the breeds today came to be. I do recommend that pets be spayed/neutered if you can't afford them breeding or you're not going to breed them. This world would be sad and lonely if the only dogs and cats were pure breeds from breeders because they are so pricey. My cat is neutered for those of you who are against owners who don't think like me. He and I are happier that way. No more roaming at night across streets looking for girlfriends. That's why I recommand it, but I don't think it should be a law.
Diane Dee - 2 years ago
I think people should spay/neuter because they want to, not because they have to. I have always spay/neutered my pets because I knew I did not want puppies or kittens, having no place to place them. Many people have this attitude, as evidenced by many of these comments.
Tony - 2 years ago
If we were to limit breedable cats and dogs only to licensed breeders, there would come a time where many people simply could not afford to get a kitten or puppy. Breeders charge money for the purebred pets they sell, often a sizeable amount. Do we really want to lock this down so only someone with several hundred dollars, or even several thousand dollars, to spend up front can have the privilege of having a cat or dog?
I adopted my current cat as a kitten, free, from someone whose cat had "unexpected kittens". Our previous cat came from a shelter. Both are/were neutered because I don't want to have unexpected kittens (or contribute to them with an unaltered male cat). But at the same time, I would hate to have the law telling me I could not chose to allow my cat to have kittens even if I would deal with that responsibly, without meeting whatever criteria (and paying whatever fees) they choose to implement for "licensed breeders".
Let's try to solve problems by education, not legislation, wherever and whenever possible. Legislation should ideally be a last resort, when all else has failed, not the first option considered.
Anne - 2 years ago
Government has no business in our personal lives.I live in CA where PETA is alive,well and living in the Sacramento legislature.Regardless of the fact that it has been proven to them that mandatory S/N not only does NOT save money,it costs money,they're still going ahead and trying to pass mandatory S/N ALL breeds/ALL dogs & cats,NO exceptions.
This is insane and discriminatory.
I have 3 show dogs,2 are S/N'ed.The third will be spayed after,Lord willing,she has ONE litter.I've done all the testing to ensure healthy puppies and will sell companions on limited registration w/a portion of the sale price to be returned upon evidence of S/N.The rest will be co-owned by myself.This is to ensure that their owners "do the right thing".
As for government and PETA??? Stay OUT of my life!
Marsha - 2 years ago
As long as there are unwanted dogs and cats in shelters, on the streets or with people who can't care for them, I think they should be spay and neutered. I am all for getting rid of these shelters that claim they are doing what is best for animals only to kill so many of them. When it becomes a shortage then and only then should the law change. But then I also believe there should be a law allowing people to have no more than two children.
TulsaKim - 2 years ago
For all you NO voters, there are between Five and Six MILLION cats and dogs put to DEATH Every Single Year for no other reason except there are not enough homes for them. Wake up people, untill ALL pets are spayed and neutered that number will not go down. For all you uninformed that think spaying and neutering will bring an end to cats and dogs please take a few minutes and do some reasearch, that will not happen. What spaying and neutering will do is provide heathier happier pets and will save some millions of lives. Wake Up People.
Hazel - 2 years ago
In Phoenix AZ 100 cats a day are turned into the AZ Humane Society! You do the math. I am going down Monday to give them canned cat food to feed the kittens they have. There was a plea from them on their (public service) show "Pets on Parade" today. This is the result of indiscriminate breeding and needs to be ended. I love my babies and have had the honor of having 9 companions over my life and have had all 9 neutered. All were happy, healthy, and long lived.
ana - 2 years ago
Cats and dogs should only be neutered if the are NOT breeding.
Hence, should not become law or else over time there will be no more.
Nickie - 2 years ago
i know i'll get a lot of hate comments- i believe pet stores have a place in this world- not everyone can afford a pet from a "breeder". but i also feel pet stores should only be able to buy from registered/licensed breeders that are inspected regulary and surprise visits. some so called breeders are not "breeders" they just happed to have dogs that have mated and they have puppies- no work for them. ive known people who bought dogs online from supposed breeders but the animals are sick or not what they expected. at least at the local pet store i saw my dog- held and played with him- put a deposit while i slept on it. had my vet check him out as soon as i brought them home and they are fine. so yes to registering and licensing of breeders and yes to spay and neutering of all others
DeeCee - 2 years ago
While this poll does read, "..all pets..." I believe the sentiment was best expressed in Dr. Jon's newsletter (08/29/2009) that stated, "Unless you are a qualified breeder of a good quality pet and you have the resources to be a good breeder..." In that light, I must agree that ALL pets should be spayed/neutered. I have participated in TNR programs for several years and have been witness to the sheer magnitude of ferals resulting from un-spayed/un-nuetered pets.
ALL pet lovers should want this as a mandate; however, only if the mandate is worded properly. More programs must be established to defray surgical/medical costs in order to entise active participation at present. As a species, cats and dogs will not perish; instead, they will thrive in healthy and loving homes given that such a mandate is enacted. At present these loving creatures needlessly become victims to euthanasia, shelters, puppy mills and cat houses as not everyone can afford responsible pet ownership.
Most pet owners begin their pet relationships with good intentions for proper and responsible pet care; unfortunately, bad times befall us all occasionally. And, who is made to suffer? Our pets did not ask to be brought into this world and should not be made to suffer because of our hardships. It is selfish of the human race to not do what is in their pet's best interest if we have willingly assumed the responsibility for their care.
EDUCATE PEOPLE ON RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP. SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS!
Maria - 2 years ago
I believe in spaying an neutering all pets with the exception for verified cat/dog breeders.
Cindy - 2 years ago
I think it's a good idea. As others have already said, cats and dogs will not go extinct. There are way too many strays out there without homes. And there are plenty of people who would ignore the law and end up with unwanted litters. I love animals, cats in particular. Not only that, I have volunteered for my local Humane Society, as well as another cat rescue society and I see too many homeless cats out there.
Tiggerlb - 2 years ago
I feel it should be the choice of the owner. If it was required by law and the off chance everyone followed it couldn't it lead to the possible extintion of cats and dogs. And also there is other circumstances to have it done and not. If some one has indoor pets only then there is absoulty no need same goes for the vaccines as well. But if you have a pet like a cats that goes out side and roams then it is wise to do. And if there is an escape artist of a dog it is wise to do for them also. But ultimatley spaying and neutering as well as vaccines should be the pet owners choice.
Kathy - 2 years ago
I, too, voted NO. For most of us I very much believe that all should be spayed or neutered, and very definately believe that for most we should consider rescue when adopted a new cat, but for those who are good, ethical, qualified breeders, the no, they should spay or neuter nor should we eliminate the possibility of obtaining purebreed kitties from those qualified, good, ethical breeders.
Roberta - 2 years ago
If spaying and neutering were mandatory, dogs and cats would eventually follow the normal rules of an economy, where there is a limited supply and the cost of purchasing one would become extremely high and only those who could afford a "purebreed" would be able to have the companionship of a pet. I think that far more education is needed instead of restricting the species.
Amanda - 3 years ago
Also if it becomes a law it should be free to do if it becomes mandatory. its already a very routine surgury.also if it becomes a law that doesn't mean that if family pets who arent fixed would be put to sleep.
Amanda - 3 years ago
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH DR. JON. I love animals and yet i see countless numbers of HOMELESS NEGLECTED cats and dogs in the street and WAITING in shelters to be PUT DOWN. i think that yes there should be a law to have owners spay and neuter ther pet unless they have some kind of liscence to breed them. i know this is a free country and all but when owners are irresponsible and let their animals produce litter after litter this country doesnt become a kind place for the animals people cant or woun't take are of, because they cant afford it or they dont care. Watch animal planets shows like animal cops or at least pay attention when the add for the aspca comes on asking for donations and see the skinny, sickly, sad animals who have seen hardly any kindness. so yes there should be a law. When people rescue a pet from the aspca shelters they are required to spay or neuter anyways for the very reason of the over population of homeless abused animals. They have a WEEK to wait in kennels TILL THEY ARE KILLED. so we need to prevent that from happening by loving and careing enough about the new generations and fixing the ones we have. That doesnt mean we should wipe them clean from the world JUST BE RESPONSIBLE.
Zarah - 3 years ago
If ALL dogs and cats were neutered/spayed, wouldn't that mean both species would go extinct? And besides, some people purposely breed dogs, that would destroy that for them.
Marguerite - 3 years ago
@ P.TaylorJr; according to Maddie's Fund, a pet rescue foundation, about 3.7 million dogs and cats are killed in shelters each year. Some of those are not adoptable because of illness/injury or viciousness. Currently about 4 million pets are adopted from shelters every year. If only 2 more pets per shelter per day were adopted out, no healthy adoptable pets would be killed in shelters.
Read more about that here: http://www.maddiesfund.org/Documents/No%20Kill%20Progress/Getting%20to%20No%20Kill%20by%202015.pdf
There is a city that has no dog limits, no mandatory spay/neuter laws and no breed specific legislation, yet they do not do any population control killing. Read about that here: http://saveourdogs.net/2009/04/03/“the-best-animal-control-program-in-north-america”/
I've done rescue. Mandatory spay/neuter laws increase the number of dogs and cats that are killed in shelters because they are confiscated from owners that cannot afford the hundreds of dollars for the major surgery and since they are not strays, the shelter is not required to hold them. They are killed for no other reason than that their owners could not afford to comply with the law to cut out their reproductive organs.
Animal welfare organizations and the AVMA oppose mandatory spay/neuter laws. Animal rights organizations that want to see domestic species of animals become extinct are all for them.
wanda - 3 years ago
For those of you who say no, try working for a rescue group for 1 month and see how important it is not only for the health of your pet but to controll the population. It's a very sad world for all the animals who are thrown out once they become pregnant. Not only that but the children who have'nt been taught respect for these poor babies. I can't begin to tell you all the sad cases we with rescue groups see every day. Get involved with a rescue group and then see what you think. I work with Colony Cat's of Ohio and you people who say No, have no idea of the sad cases we deal with every day. Not to mention the cost of saving these animals that that the owners have turned out to make it on thier own. Shame on these people.
PAUL E TAYLOR JR - 3 years ago
I cant believe that people say that it should not be required. There are over 10,000,000 cats and dogs put down every year because of lack of homes. Remember death is forever.
Carol D. Olsen - 3 years ago
No, I most emphaticly do not think it should be a law that ALL dogs and cat pets be spayed or neutered. The government legislates too many aspects of our lives as it is without being able to legislate manditory surgical procedures for our pets. Also, if ALL cats and dog pets are spayed/neutered, the species will die out. That being said, I have five Dachshunds, all spayed/neutered. I know enough about breeding to know that I don't know enough to breed. However, a responsible, knowledgeable breeder should be able to breed his/her dogs/cats. Responsible pet ownership means making the best decisions for the welfare of the pet; for me, that means spaying/neutering my pets for their health and my peace of mind. I encourage all my acquaintances to do the same. The legislation should take aim at puppy mills and not try to make a criminal of owner X who hasn't spayed/neutered his/her 6 1/2 month puppy.
naturesnotcivilized - 3 years ago
im a big no on laws that require changing animals natural behaviour/reproductive system just to please humans because its messy or more difficult. A dog and cat do not exist on this earth for us and are not to be confused with toys or objects. And by the way there are also lots of orpan humans around, should we maybe spay and neutre all human beings who WE believe are unffit in producing children. Thats all ridicilous. Dogs and cats get it on like we do, lets not disneyfy this fact. And the very idea of breeders is an absolute unnatural occurance and the reason why we have ridicilous breeds that cant go up stairs, smell or see properly but hey the look CUTE and because their from breeder its ok. We bought our westhighland terrier bitch from a family whose 3 year old bitch got pregnant with the neighbours westhighland terrier dog. Shes the sweetest and quite intelligent dog. We will never do anything so horrible to our dog as to take away part of her identity. No woman on earth that knows the benifits of having a period would ever freely step into menopause early in life, so why should my bitch?
Lori Fellowes - 3 years ago
I believe in "adopt - don't buy" dogs and cats. There are too many in the shelters in need of a loving home. I think that an additional fee should be charged upon licensing a dog that hasn't been spayed/neutered. In addition to that, I believe there should be a certification process required (by an organization like AKA or equivalent in reputation) for anyone who wishes to breed their dog and charge money for the puppies. Too many people think they will make money off their purebreds and just end up filling up the shelters in the end. We have a Pit Bull population problem in our area due to irresponsible dog owners. I've done my best to help by adopting two at once after losing my last Pit. When people ask me why on earth don't I breed them I simply tell them that if I wanted more Pit Bulls I'd go adopt more - NOT bring more into the world thru my two dogs, which gives the shelter dogs less of a chance for adoption.
Nila Atkins - 3 years ago
First of all, let me say that my three cats are spayed and Neutered. And, I bielve that if your animal is not being bred by a licensed breeder then yes it should be. There are way too many dogs and cats that are not under a licensed breeder running arround. And just look at all the unwanted kittens and puppies in our shelters. Yes please spay and neuter your animals.
Linda M - 3 years ago
Yes, I strongly believe that all pets should be spayed & nuetered! I also believe that there should a liscense to breed if that's what they decide. With the MILLIONS of cats & dogs put to sleep yearly,I don't know how anyone could dispute this. It's so much better for their health & welfare that it really makes it hard to disagree. People are so careless with their pets sometimes, I've seen neighbors that just allowed their Kitty's to have litter after litter & would just dump them at the shelter like that is supposed to happen! Just with what I've seen helps me to believe that I'm not the only person in this country to have witness this kind of neglect. The free spay & nueter van comes around a few times a year & this should be taken more advantage of. I support the trap & release program for feral cats & all dogs should be "fixed' when they enter a shelter. I realize that they are in most states but more laws are surely needed to help all these helpless pets because we really are their voice!
Ice Lady - 3 years ago
There have been a lot of good points made on both sides of the question. But I still have to say NO to mandatory spay and neuter for all dogs and cats. Responsible pet owners will consider the health of their little companion first. We need the hobby and show breeders to keep quality pets available.
I do believe that additional charges for licensing an unaltered animal are fair. Many towns and cities already have this in place and are strict about enforcing licensing. The licensing offices even have lists of low cost spay and neuter clinics.
Unfortunately, no matter how many laws are enacted, there will always be the irresponsible pet owner that neglects their animal. It is unfortunate that we cannot legislate common sense!
Sandy Bender - 3 years ago
I voted yes, but it is a very complicated matter - the only way to stop just some of the suffering of dogs and cats would be a "law". With all the education out there, we still have overcrowded shelters and millions of homeless animals put to death every year, while humans keep spitting out more & more puppies and kittens. I surely hope for a brilliant solution.
Dolly - 3 years ago
Spay & Neuter is a positive responsible action of pet owners. I feel only qualified owners with quality animals should be allowed to have a breeding program. Sometimes even the best breeding plans don't work as well as the breeder wanted, but still produce wonderful pet quality animals. Each breed association could develope a list of the physical & mental traits they want represented within the breed. A scale could be used to determine if the off-spring has good enough conformation & mental traits to represent it's breed & could become a breeding animal. However, if it does not, then that animal must be spayed or neutered. I'm sure some rough spots would need smoothing out, & people who are more knowledgable about this than I could add to this, or maybe say why it wouldn't work. But it's important that we not only recognize we have a problem with unwanted pets, but a way to solve this problem in a responsible fashion, & still allow quality/responsible breeding to take place. Including Spay & Nueter, does someone else out there have ideas on how to control the breeding situation? I'd love to hear feedback.
Besides the very clear outcome a law like this would result in..... no pets for anyone, period, has anyone thought about the constitutiality of a law like this? My dog is mine. It is not the states. As such he is my property. That being said how is it right that the state ( federal or local) can tell me when or if I can breed my dog?
Regarding the issue of overpopulation. When is the last time you saw a pack of feral dogs running down your street? Go to the pound. You will notice that most, if not all of the dogs there were once owned. According to my local ASPCA the large majority of dogs that are turned over are there because their owners felt they could not control them. That is, they were not able to properly train their dog. That is an entirely different thing than litters of puppies being born that are not able to find homes.
Denise - 3 years ago
For all of you who voted not to spay or neuter shame on you. Start opening your homes to the homeless animals and start volunteering at your local shelter. Those of you who didn't vote for spay or neuter because they would become extinct? Come on! Get a reality check. You really took that one to the extreme. Not only are the shelters being flooded with unwanted puppies and kittens but there is an increase of older animals being dropped off at the shelters because families are losing their homes and are giving them to the shelter. It all comes down to responsibility whether you own a mutt or a purebreed, do we need any more to die unecessarily? Preach to those you know that have not had their animal altered. Learn about the special programs in your areas. I'm sure they are there.
Verity - 3 years ago
I agree with this to an extent, yes I strongly believe that dogs and cats should be desexed due to the almost epidemic situation we have here ( in Aust ) with 66 dogs / cats being euthanised daily, which can simply be avoided if people had the decency to stop unwanted litters or control their pets. Unfortunately that question was a little vague, I think that breeders should hold a permit or a licence to have an undesexed animal and only sell desexed animals to the general public, this hopefully will stop all the unwanted litters from being destroyed but also free up money within the local governments who have to provide the not only food, water and shelter but also the carers and attendents of these animals for up to a month before destroying them. All these extra costs for the government could be minimsed by eliminating such a simple problem and also the fact that it saves lives, should be an incentive to any animal lover, yes it may make animals more expensive but for the greater good I hope that people will realise.
Cattwmn - 3 years ago
Reply to Char: Honey - the Humane Society in MY SMALL COMMUNITY - 30% of those pets have registration papers. The organization I volunteer with - we receive abanonded cats on the doorstep . It's about responsibility, not about the price of the cat/dog they purchased. I had to break suddenly because a Shar Pai ran in front of my car over the weekend. I appreciate the driver behind me was paying attention or they would have been in my trunk. People live in rural environments and often let their dogs run. A Pixi-Bob was released to our organization. With her papers. The owner invested $3,500 in that cat. Beautiful cat who didn't like anyone but me. Shunned prospective adopters. She ignored them. I called my sister to come meet her - thinking I can't adopt her but maybe she'll like my sister, who has had Abbys and understands their personality. She now has a very good home.
Cattwmn - 3 years ago
I believe there should be laws that pets be spayed and neutered - and if the owner CHOSES to NOT spay/neuter their pet - they pay for a waiver and the un-altered pet be fenced and supervised at all times. Things most responsible pet owneres already do, right? Wrong. The local shelter in my community destroys thousands of adoptable pets yearly. My community is a small city and the county combined have only about 230,000 people. There are not enough HOMES for the pets! There will NEVER be a situation of too few PETS! I have volunteered with a no-kill rescue organization since 1984. I have seen abuse and neglect first hand. 'there won't be any pets!' is a very un-informed response! There will always be homeless pets - because people treat their car better than they treat their pet. They will trade in a car. They abandon their pet.
Char - 3 years ago
I breed dogs and responsibly place them and I have to say, I can't imagine anybody who pays a reasonable amount for a dog is going to just let it run free because they don't want it anymore. In over 20 years of breeding I have had a few people need me to take their dog back because they were unable to keep it any longer. Besides being a family pet, these people made an investment in the animal. It wasn't just something free they got on a whim and then just as easily discarded. These are "real people" who made an informed decision and bought a dog. Most of the people who come to me are people I've made friends with. Some have gone on to become breeders and when they did, I did my best to help them become responsible breeders, too. After all, when I got my first dog, I didn't realize then I would be taking her to dog shows and eventually breeding her. If a law like this had been forced on me, I would have not been able to become more involved in my doggy hobby. It would have taken something away from me because it would have never allowed me the opportunity to decide for myself. It's just plain crazy to think this is a good idea. Listen to all the reasonable people who say this shouldn't happen in our free country.
Jennifer - 3 years ago
I voted "not sure." My gut reaction to this poll was "yes" with the provision that licensed breeders and those who show animals (the AKC requires show animals be not spayed or neutered) would be able to keep them un-fixed. But then I read some of the comments and realized that if only breeders and show-ers had unspayed animals, then all the animals would, by necessity, be purebred. Every dog and cat I've ever owned has been a mixed breed with the exception of one (who, incidentally, had breed-related health problems since the day he was born). So that being said, I don't think there should be laws mandating spaying and neutering, BUT i do feel that there should be more of an incentive to spay and neuter our pets. The surgery should be less expensive, or be eligible for tax-deduction or rebates from the government health authorities. In NYC (where I currently live) there's a $3 discount per year on licensing your animal if they're fixed. I don't think that's enough to influence those who aren't spaying or neutering for financial reasons. The surgery for my dog cost $80 (not including the office visit fee, the anastesia fee, etc). It would take longer than the lifetime of the dog to be reimbursed for it at a rate of $3 per year. I feel that if there were greater incentives, without government mandates, the numbers of unwanted pets in shelters would greatly decrease. And just as a note; even though my first dog was purchased from someone who I feel irresponsibly allowed their dogs to breed, in the future I plan to obtain pets through rescues and shelters.
Carrie - 3 years ago
This was a question on a poll http://www.petplace.com/polls.aspx?pi=102
Do you think it should be law that ALL dog and cat pets are neutered and spayed?
Well if they neutered and spayed Every Dog and Cat that are pets( I consider my dogs pets ) there would be no more clients For Vets . Big Box Pet stores would run out of Customers .
Dog food company's would go bankrupted . Dog groomers would have no more clients Ekkkkkkkkkk that is me :(
The unethical dog and cat breeding and law breakers are the one filling up the animal shelters .
Tammy - 3 years ago
A law that mandates anything is always a bad idea. In this particular case it would only punish those who operate within the law and never affect the people who are operating sub standard kennels.
Lawrence Kaplan - 3 years ago
People, lets use our heads a little, here. If ALL dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, then in ONE generation, there will be NO MORE dogs and cats! Is that REALLY what you all want?
LAURIE - 3 years ago
YES WE NEED BETTER LAWS PUT IN PLACE FOR ALL THE FUR BABIES IN THE WORLD. FIRST OF ALL LOOK HOW MANY ARE ABUSED AND HAVE NO HOMES. WE ARE OUT OF CONTROL WITH BREEDING AND THINK FUR BABIES ARE THROW AWAYS AND HAVE NO FEELINGS. IT’S LIKE HAVING TONS OF HUMAN BABIES AND NO WAY TO TAKE CARE OF THEM AND GIVE THEM A QUALITY LIFE. IT’S NO DIFFERENT FOR THE FUR BABIES IN THE WORLD. YES, ALL DOGS AND CATS NEED TO BE NEUTERED AND SPAYED. IF PEOPLE THINK THIS IS CRUEL THEN DON’T YOU THINK IT’S CRUEL TO SEE ALL THE FUR BABIES WITH OUT HOMES AND NO FOOD AND TOSS TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD? I SEE MORE DEAD DOGS AND CATS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BECAUSE HORRIBLE INHUMANE PEOPLE WHO DON’T CARE ABOUT THEIR BELOVED PET AND GIVE THEM UP LIKE IT’S A PIECE OF FURNITURE THEY ARE TIRED OF. THINK ABOUT IT WE NEED TO BE THE VOICE FOR ALL THESE FUR BABIES. NO MORE PUPPY MILLS OR PET STORES SELLING ANIMALS. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH LOVING PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD THAT CARE FOR THESE FUR BABIES AS IT IS. STOP THE OVER POPULATED OUT OF CONTROL BREEDING. AND TAKE CARE OF THE ONES IN THE SHELTER AND HOMELESS THAT NEED GOOD LOVING HOMES. HAVE MERCY ON THESE FUR BABIES!!!!!!
teri - 3 years ago
definitely spay and neuter....many try to say that if everyone did that there wouldnt be enough "pets for the future" GIVE ME A BREAK. There will always be people out there that unfortunately will not get caught by the law and they are the ones that will have their unrestrained animals running wild. I am associated with a For Life Shelter........go into a shelter sometime and see what ignorance causes......starving, abused, homeless, & maimed animals.
Bridget - 3 years ago
All right. You say you want the choice to be left up to you whether or not your pets are spayed or neutered. Then start taking responsibility for the millions of other people in the U.S. who aren't taking care of their pets. Be prepared to open your home to all the animals that are born as the result of some "accident" and dumped on the street or left at a shelter. Every year millions of dogs and cats are turned into shelters because their owners no longer want them and a staggering number are euthanized. So do you suppose that's a just system? Who is going to adopt all the animals that are being born to all the intact pets in America?
If you are concerned that dogs and cats might pass into extinction, please volunteer at your nearest shelter or for a feral cat rescue ASAP. Ask your local vet for a lesson in cat or dog breeding. If you are armed with facts instead of some wild notions, perhaps you will change some of your opinions. As Dr. Jon mentioned, pyometra, mammary cancer, and prostate cancer are a genuine risk for animals who remain open and these are terrible fates for our beloved companions.
Laws are not meant to crush people's will, but to offer sensible guidelines. I am not delighted about giving my animals a Rabies shot every three years, but I am glad that rabid dogs and cats are not a threat to me, my animals, or my neighbors. Often, we have to strike a balance between what seems like meddling and what ultimately results in the greater good for everyone.
The laws regarding animals have changed markedly since humane societies started popping up in the 1800s, but we can't expect either these societies or laws to make us better humans. If you don't want the government sticking their nose in your life, then put your money where your mouth is and help stop the unnecessary breeding of dogs and cats in your neighborhood, town, and across the country. And volunteer for your local animal shelter.
Cindy - 3 years ago
>..., but then again Danielle does make a good point. The question does >say "all dog and cat PETS," not all dogs and cats.
Yes, let's spay/neuture all pet dogs and cats, then the dogs and cats available with be the feral ones. I have 2 purebred show dogs, that are fixed because I didn't want to breed them. Maybe, someday, I would have that "great" dog and would want to breed him/her. but I couldn't because they are "fixed". What's next, everyone on welfare has to be sterilized to prevent them from having children that they can't support?????
Karen - 3 years ago
Sad to have to say it, but as someone who has rescued more than her share of dogs (many of them purebred) and worked with rescue groups for 3 breeds, I'd have to say that I believe some sort of law should be put into place giving people the option: (1) either spay or neuter your dogs and cats or (2) if you wish to breed, apply for a license and submit to and PASS inspections by some organization with the welfare of dogs/cats (ASPCA??) as it's charter.
agnes nelson - 3 years ago
if you are not well to cut down on the number of unwanted animals then a law will force you to have you seen the number of animals put to death because they are not wanted.
Mare - 3 years ago
I have a dog I wanted the option to show in conformation (which we did several times) who I planned to neuter when I would no longer be showing him. He started having seizures as a young dog, about 2 per year. It would have been a risk to put him under anaesthesia for the surgery, so I chose not to. I would have been heartbroken if anything went wrong during a surgery that was not absolutely necessary. So the matter is not always so black & white and therefore I feel it should be left up to the owner. My dog is now 17 years old and I am truly blessed to have enjoyed his companionship all these years.
Lin Della - 3 years ago
I believe that breeding and spaying and neutering should be controlled. Not all dogs need to be "fixed" because then there would be no pets in the future. We have so many unwanted animals in the rescues and dog pounds. Breeders should be limited to how many litters each of their breeders have and how often. Dogs and cats, in my personal opinion, should not be bred by people unfamiliar with the dogs backgrounds, health issues, and simply for the purpose of having puppies to sell or give to friends.
Health issues are a significiant reason but not reason enough.
Jane - 3 years ago
I voted NO simply because I show my PETS in conformation which cannot be done with a spayed or neutered animal. Those who plan on having a pet for a companion should spay/neuter not only for the health of the pet, but a spayed or neutered pet generally makes a better, calmer companion. I know this from experience. there are responsible breeders out there who make sure that their pet puppies/kittens go to homes where they are sure to be S/N. i think that all breeders should make this a bigger priority. Those who purchase a new puppy or kitten should do their research and find a responsible breeder who has good and healthy animals. after that it is the new owners responsibility to S/N their pet.
Sandy - 3 years ago
Ooops...I did forget one other area that I feel should not be covered by the mandatory spaying and neutering for PET cats and dogs...and that is those who are also show dogs...again, though, I feel they should have to provide documentation and be listed as such in a state-wide/nation-wide database.
Sandy - 3 years ago
I do believe that all PETS should be spayed or neutered. Only licensed breeders should be allowed to not spay/neuter an animal.
That being said...I think that before they crack down on the pet owners with a law, they should tighten the laws regarding breeders.
First off...take the licensing of breeders away from the USDA...these are not beef cattle--they are PETS. All dog and cat breeders should have to be licensed by another government arm/branch.
Secondly, in order to receive a license, they should have to undergo an on-site visit and provide documentation on each animal they own and intend to breed showing up-to-date health checks, vaccinations, and dentals by a licensed veterinarian, signed off on by that veterinarian.
Thirdly, once they are licensed to breed, all their information, including names and information of each dog or cat to be bred and their individual health info, should be entered into at least a state-wide but preferably a nation-wide database that would have the ability to red flag any breeders who have not turned in the documentation to provide evidence of each animal's yearly health checks, vaccinations, and dentals--including all animals in all litters, as well as the people who buy each one of the kittens/puppies from those litters, and which would also have the ability to cross-check each of those kittens/puppies from those litters with the dams and sires that are listed as being bred by them in the state-wide/nation-wide database.
Fourthly, then, once those measures are in place, they need to also make it illegal to buy from anyone other than a licensed breeder. Whatever government agency/branch/arm this would be assigned to needs to crack down not only on puppy/kitten mills--they need to seize their records and fine any and all people who have purchased animals from them (including and especially pet stores who propogate such mills due to nothing more than greed).
If all the above were implemented, then breeders would be being held to the standards they should be by the government branch/division they should be; the people who purchase animals from them would not be propogating a horrible life for animals in mills; people would be being more responsible pet owners; it would cut down on the number of unwanted pets on the street since there would be more room for them to go to rescue groups with the rescue groups not being filled up with animals from mill rescues; and, most importantly of all, it would help improve the quality of life for all pets, which is, as people who love animals, what we are really most concerned about, isn't it???
SM - 3 years ago
I work with great apes all day and return home to my beloved dogs. I think it is not only unethical but cruel to put another thriving animal on the endangered species list because of overpopulation. Remember the passenger pigeon?
CC - 3 years ago
"ALL dog and cat PETS " What if your show dog is a PET, most of them are. I think it means "ALL dogs and cats". Say NO to mandatory S/N.
Lynda Hartmann - 3 years ago
I voted "No" but I do believe there are a lot of things to be considered. First off, I don't believe it is something that government or local authorites should be involved in. I DO believe however, that there are way too many pets that are unwanted. I believe there are many people who would like to spay or neuter, but just plain can't afford it. I have a border collie myself, that I would like to have neutered, but I have to live on Disability and just plain can't afford it right now. To me, getting his shots and heart worm pills and quality food are more of a priority. If there were more low cost spay and neuter clinics, I think it would solve a lot of problems. I have called all over and can't find one myself. If the government wants to get involved, let them help out in that way and don't FORCE everyone to do it. I think in this way the problem would eventually take care of itself. L.H.
tracey - 3 years ago
No, it should NOT be a mandatory law for ALL pets to be altered. Show dogs are pets, hunting dogs are pets, working dogs are pets, if you alter all pets then you have made a conscience descions to make all dogs/cats extinct. I agree that not all dogs/cats should be bred but you can not tell if a dog is genetically sound-to breed-until after the age of two (OFA). I own/raise/train/breed working (stock) dogs. I am unable to know who is suitable to breed until they are two-three yrs of age and have passed all health checks and will work the way that I want/require them too. Dogs-especially the medium to larger breeds should not be altered until they are at least a year old. The growth plates need to have completed there process or you cause more issues with the dogs. Yes you can alter at a young age but just because you can does not make it safe for all dogs. Responsible breeders wait until the dogs are at least two and do checks...I know BYB don't care, puppy mills don't care....and do you really think that the BYB/PM breeders are going to care what the law is and if they are breaking it? Who is going to ensure that everyone-not just the responsible breeders who are already trying to do right by their chosen breed- is altering the dogs? Who is going to pay for it? It is our (breeders) responsibility to breed our dogs and to ensure those not acceptable for breeding are altered. It is NOT the Governments job. There are more important issues that they should be dealing with not taking away our rights are our respect.
Red - 3 years ago
I believe it should be up to the Responsible Owner of that Dog! The key word is Responsible!!! No one should have the right to tell / demand that owner what we should do with our dog...member of our family.!!! Also, it gives me pause when people make laws that effect all ...vs a few owners who are not concerned for the better good of their dog.
Question... you people who are so determined to neuter all dogs...take away responsible owners' right to make their own decision... Where are you when we, the Responsible Owners are : Taking care, giving love, shelter, food, paying the vet bills & the grooming bills, walking our love ones..part of our family in all types of weather..no matter what season... we are out there everyday! Loving our Dogs-Babies as our Family!
I don't recall seeing or hearing from any of you.. to recommend paying our vet bills, grooming bills, offering to pay for our (babies..love ones) food & treats bills. .hmmm. It;s funny (not laughing @ all ) how you all have your reasons for demanding we fix..neuter ALL our Dogs... I say... make laws that are for non responsible owners...not put US..RESPONSIBLE OWNER in the same category.
We have a right as American Citizens, responsible Dog Owner, Companion Care Giver to make our Own decisions!!!! I hope we are not going backwards ...to where certain people dictated what a group of people couldn't/ were not allowed to do...just some 40+ years ago.... Civil rights....hmmm, Slippery Slope people... Wake UP!!!
I would like to suggest focusing your energy on the shelters- contributing and donating your time, money, and laws- helping the many shelters in your community take care of those dogs that those Non-responsible Owners..or Owners who fell on hard times.
In closing, please leave us...."Responsible Owners Be!...show us the Respect We Deserve!!!
Alishia - 3 years ago
I think it is wrong to ask us a question like that
If every dog was nuetered
Where would we get replacements if ur dog gets hit or runs away huh?
What would you do if they all died out and the only ones allowed to breed were in zoos
that would be horrible
I love having the choice we make people happy sellin our shelties so
I hope it stays that way
thanks for your time :P
Diana - 3 years ago
The wording of the question: "ALL dog and cat pets" still means ALL dogs and cats! Do people think that breeders do not consider their animals as pets? Most breeders I know are the best pet owners because they actually do something with their pets. They show in herding, agility and other events becoming partners with their dogs. Just because they breed them does not mean they are not pets! Mandatory Spay and Neutering is AGAINST our Constitutional Rights of Freedom!!!! Look at the dogs in the shelters. Most are mixed breeds due to irresponsible owners letting their dogs get out, not from breeders. Wake up America! HSUS has you brain washed!
Jennifer - 3 years ago
As someone who works very closely with an animal rescue group, yes, I would love to see a law requiring this. All of the shelters are full, we get heartbreaking emails every day because people find pets, give up pets, etc. and we can't take them in. We work with one shelter who took in 52 OWNER surrenders in ONE day.
Do you realize how many animals are euthanized every single day? Its horrible, yet people think its their "right" to breed animals. Well, if its your "right", then its YOUR responsibility. Don't go dumping litter after litter at the shelters or even worse on the street. Why should I have to pay for the animals that you cast out on the street?
DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER ANIMALS DIE!!!!!!!!!
hannah - 3 years ago
There are a lot of good views on this, but the long boring life an animal has when fixed is a concern, the benifits to there health arn't enuff for me to fix my dogs and cats. A law inforceing it when we haven't properly enforced our existing laws is cause for concern. If there was a law put in place on fixing your dogs and cats I belive it should be on an owner losing the right to have an animal capable of breeding, people caught with fighting dogs, people caught hording or unmoniterd breeding, people charged with animal abouse. People who are known for turning over kittens and puppys over and over agine to the shelters, those are the people causing the over population, those are the people the law should apply to. I am and know pleanty of animal owners who have animals capable of breeding and they control them and never have unplaned breeding. I don't and I'm sure there are plenty of other animal lovers who don't want to see the wrong people punished for the greater good, although I do see the advantage of a law like this, if anyone has seen a wild cat, or a dog that has been abandoned a law like this really seems like the answer, but I doo think that knowlage in the real answer, education is the key, a better enforcement of current laws and better punishment for those break them, bigger fines, longer jail times, and volunteering should be automatic for everyone who breaks these laws.
Oh yes, and as far as legitimate breeders who have 20+ years experience in their breeds needing to "take a class" to be "liscensed" to pursue our hobby...we could teach the class! What other hobbies, beside hunting and fishing, are legislated by state and local authorities. Should we liscense scrapbookers because they create tons of paper waste and are not recycling it? And giving animal control acces to our homes to check sanitary conditions, how dare you?? Should your home be fair game to government officials to be checked for sanitary conditions for your pets and children? Believe me, when puppy buyers get here, if the conditions are not what they should be, they would be turned off and leave without a new little fuzz ball to love. Somewhere I believe I've heard that in America, we have a right to privacy and the pursuit of happiness. Oh yes, it's in our Constitution and bill of rights! Remember those dusty old documents. Be very careful people, we are loosing more freedoms every day and soon it will be an irreversable problem and this will be a totalitarian nation. Very scary indeed.
Many excellent points people. And I don't want to be redundant, but I must agree with the many that point to the relinquishing of our freedoms from endlessl, uninforceable legislation that is beginning to seep into every arena of our lives. In every municipality in this country, there are laws against animal cruelty, which enforced, would help to end the puppy mill crisis we have in this country. If officials cannot enforce existing statutes, how will they be able to do so with the new, oppressive legistaltion pending in many states that will severly limit legitimate breeders - people who have the best interest and improvmement of their breeds at heart, not a fast buck - from pursuing their goals. Legitimate breeders do sell their puppies on limitied registration with spay neuter agreements. We also carefully screen all puppy buyers for suitability and ability to provide lifelong homes for their new family member. In my case, I retain a right of first refusal in the event that the new owner cannot keep their pet for it's lifetime, it comes back here for rehoming. Over my 20 years in my breed, I have had to priviledge to breed many AKC Champions and also to see many lives enriched by the pet quality animals that did not stay here for a show career. I have been blessed to have developed many new friendships with my puppy buyers and have had them return years later for a new family member after having to sadly say goodbye to their first beloved pet. I suggest in this great debate that before legislators tack on new, restrictive laws that smack of the AR agenda, that they first figure out ways to enforce existing laws... And if they need more busy work, perhaps they should get a real job.
bibi - 3 years ago
I don't really know, to be honest. If we spayed and neutered all our pets, maybe there wouldn't be more dogs. I agree, yes, that every single dog owner must watch out for their bitches... However, what about responsible breeders?
jaume ribe - 3 years ago
Should we be neutered ? Why not ? Because the same reason normal dogs shouldn't. A castrate isn't a normal person. A dog either. Of course you can provide for substitution hormones, but it isn't only a matter of sexual hormones, but neurotransmitters and immunological system. Mental behavior otherwise is not that of a dog which can empatyze with people. That mentioned before is against the concept of better health, but only better health based on that of killing the dog killing the rabies. What about the natural dog brain ? Were they castrate in the process of domestication ? my opinion is that one can't cope with an entire animal, better purchase a doll.
Katie - 3 years ago
What an awful idea! Does everyone really want to live in such a socialistic country where everything, including the spaying/neutering of PETS is a law??? I think many "animal lovers" forget that laws only apply to those who follow them and they also do not realize mandatory spay/neuter will not fix animal overpopulation and abandonment. And like someone pointed out before - where will all our wonderful "non-purebred" pets come from? My family has four dogs, two purebred rat terriers (but remember ratties aren't recognized by AKC) who came from a backyard breeder, one rescue rattie, and one rescue border collie. We can't imagine our lives without these dogs! And even reputable breeders produce unwanted dogs....and not all people who have the money to purchase these "purebred" dogs end up keeping the dogs or even giving them good homes. Just face it -there will still be unwanted animals and animal overpopulation regardless of what laws we implement!
Marilia - 3 years ago
By Law?? It means that spaying/neutering would be MANDATORY!!
What about the so called "land of freedom"???
Please do not set an example!
Remember what the 'Prohibition' resulted....
Marilia - 3 years ago
I feel very sorry for all of you, North Americans:((
Neutering by law???
Reminds me of a guy from Austria who was fan of neutering and spaying (jews, at that time). He also hated cigarettes, but never regulated anything against the Tabacco campanies).
As a matter of fact, he hated freedom.
As far as I can recall, the free world had to fight him, World War II.
But, if you are stupid enough to defend him, spay / neuter your pets, as you wish!
But DO NOT ATTEMP TO SPAY ME NOR MY PET!!!!
Marilia
BRAZIL
Susie - 3 years ago
I have always been and still am a huge proponent of spay/neuter but I vote no. First because I think the government interferes with our lives too much already. Second because the cost of spay/neuter has sky-rocketed, here in CT anyway. I'm a dog groomer and I have many clients who want to neuter their pets but simply can't afford to do so. If they were forced to, they would have to give them up. I, for one, have room and time for more pets but simply can't afford the high cost of veterinary care. I had a little 15 lb shih tzu mix dropped off in my yard and the vet's wanted $400 - $500 to neuter him!! That's ridiculous! Who has that kind of money in this economy? Especially for such a simple procedure. I did manage to get the procedure done with the help of a local rescue group that I help out a lot. But many people who love their pets enough to get them groomed,etc simply can't come up with more than $500 to get them neutured. (the price goes up by size) If you want to pass a law, then force these high cost vets to offer low cost neuturing!!
wolfey - 3 years ago
so who should decide which pets are worthy, some panel of purebred conformists I have a mutt that they are currently trying to turn into a breed of her own because there are so many of them now..this law would mean no more new breeds. We should also look at the financial aspects of the whole thing, once car insurance became mandatory the price didn't go down it went up because they know people can't legally go without it..As far as the comments of limiting human breeding they already do that in some states, my girlfriends daughter had two children with learning defects so the court ordered her tubes tied. I believe that it should not be a law as the price could very well take a leap and those people that love their purebreds so much don't seem to realize that at one time those "quality" animals were also mutts.. and don't pick on the hairless cats and dogs that is a prospect for people with allergies to enjoy the love and devotion we all love as pet owners I have 3 dogs and only one of them is purebred and I wouldn't dream of putting my shitzhu in a contest or on a lead where he couldn't have fun I'm in alaska and he loves the outdoors which I don't see many showdogs digging or burrowing like they were intended to.
Mandating surgical sterilization of domestic animals is
a precursor to mandating surgical sterilization of groups
of humans. The same is true of microchips, as we are
now seeing. The fact that the H$U$ and it's sister organization,
PETA, have managed through their purposely ill named
"Animal Rights" movement to ingrain within our society the
completely insane determination that a surgically sterilized dog
or cat is actually "healthier" than a naturally intact animal is
nothing short of horrifying. Domestic animal extermination is
an openly stated goal of the founders and leaders of this
movement. Behaving so as to entice the majority to view them
as "absurd" and "unthreateningly extreme" has proven to
be a powerful tool in their advancement toward overtaking
an oblivious society. Without the incredible amount of power
they have managed to amass, we would not now be honestly
considering such a horrifying proposal.
Pam - 3 years ago
I personally think that the whole darn bunch of you that feel you have the right to mandate spaying and neutering of cats and dogs should be forced to be spayed and neutered also. It's major surgery for God's sake! Present statistics show that somewhere between 70 and 80% of all dogs and cats are spayed/neutered already. If you adopt the H$U$ mantra of "one generation and out" there will not be any animals in the next 10 or 15 years. There are many medical reasons-upheld by some pretty darn good research-that early spay/neuter is not as healthy as once was thought. I've got 4 dogs...an almost 12 year old that had 3 litters and was spayed at age 7, a 6 year old that was spayed because of a seizure disorder (killed me to do it as she is gorgeous), and 2 show dogs that are intatct. I also had a male that had sired 5 litters (I know where each and every one of those puppies are) who was spayed at the age of 11. What you all seem to not realize is it's NOT the breeder that's turning these animals into shelters, it'S PEOPLE. Am I saying there are no bad breeders out there? Absolutely not. One other thing you need to think on, if there is such a huge pet overpopulation why are they importing dogs from countries like Taiwan, China, Mexico, Puerto Rico? The AR crap running around the net is a big batch of bahooey...But, if I had my way, I'd pass a lwa to get them all spayed and neutered. We wouldn't have to deal with another generation of stupid people like them.
ANN - 3 years ago
ALL I CAN SAY IS SPAY/NEUTER THE POLITICIANS BEHIND THE MSN BILLS. SPAY/NEUTER PETA & HSUS FANATICS AND THE VETS THAT ARE BACKING THE MSN LAWS-I HOPE YOU CAN PAY THOSE VET SCHOOL LOANS OFF FLIPPING BURGERS AT BURGER KING AS YOU ARE SLITTING YOUR OWN THROATS WHEN THERE ARE NO ANIMALS TO TREAT. DOES EVERYONE BACKING THESE LAWS REALIZE PETA OPERATES ZERO-NADA-NO SHELTERS OR ANY FACILITIES TO SAVE DOGS AND REHOME THEM??? PETA HAS A 98 OR 99% KILL RATE?? SO EVERYTIME SOMEONE MAKES A DONATION TO THESE GROUPS THEY ARE ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTING TO THE KILLING OF ANIMALS?? DON'T BELIEVE ME?? DO SOME RESEARCH-SEE HOW MANY FACILITIES THEY OPERATE. ALL THEY OPERATE IS THEIR MOUTHS AND HAVE THE MONEY TO BACK IT UP BECAUSE OF INNOCENT PEOPLE CONTRIBUTING TO THEM THINKING THEY ARE HELPING ANIMALS. THE KEY TO THIS IS EDUCATION AND SPAY/NEUTER CLINICS THAT OFFER THE PROCEDURE AT REDUCED COSTS TO THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT DONE AT THEIR VETS OFFICE. WHEN YOU WALK IN A SHELTER OR POUND DO YOU SEE ALOT OF PEDIGREE DOGS?? NOT AS A GENERAL RULE-SOMETIMES BUT MOST OF THE TIME THEY ARE MIXED BREEDS-NOW MIXED BREEDS DESERVE HOMES ALSO, DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO SETTLE FOR A MIXED BREED IF I WANT A PEDIGREED DOG? MSN LAWS WILL HAVE LITTLE IMPACT ON THE PROBLEM BECAUSE ANIMAL CONTROL IN MOST AREAS CAN'T EVEN TAKE CARE OF WHAT THEY ALREADY HAVE TO DO. THE DOG POUND IN OUR AREA TURNS AWAY DOGS EVERYDAY BECAUSE THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE THE ROOM FOR THEM SO YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TIME TO GO DOOR TO DOOR AND CHECK ON DOGS WHO AREN'T ALTERED??? MOST MSN LAWS SO FAR HAVE PROVED TO BE DISMAL FAILURES AND COST MORE TO THE CITIES/COUNTIES/STATES BUDGET IN THE LONG RUN THAN WHAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE OPERATING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO VENT.
Kim - 3 years ago
I think that people should have to obtain a license to breed and have to meet certain criteria (take classes, etc) because there are too many incompetent individuals breeding dogs who do so with a lack of concern for the animals. They do it to make money and breed dogs with poor traits and I feel it should be regulated. Also, I think that animal control should be able to look in on breeders to make sure home conditions are sanitary and proper- which would help minimize or eliminate puppy mills. I think there are a lot of good breeders out there but there are also a lot of horrible ones that need to be shut down. I get annoyed looking at the reasons people give away dogs to the humane society or craigslist because they bought a pup on a whim and when it outgrows the "cute puppy" stage and becomes a "dog"- they no longer want them. I think a lot of laws should be in place about pet breeding and ownership. Abuse and neglect is all too common- and looking at the small punishments given to people for it- it is also tolerated.
OWENS - 3 years ago
I THINK A REALY DA CAME UP WITH THIS. I TAKE IN PETS THAT PEOPLE CAN NOLONGER KEEP AND HAVETHEM FIXED AND UTD ON SOTS AND I STILL DONT THINK SHOULD BE A LAW WE HAV FREEDOM HER AND THIS IS JUST PEOPLE LOOKING TO DO AWAY WITH PETIN ALL. NOW IF SOME ONE HAD A DOG THATS FEMALE AND A DOGTH WS FEMALE AND HAD PUPS ALL THE TIME THEN I COULD SEE THAT AND EVEN IF YOU HAVE MIXED DOG I WOULD SAY YES. THAT WAY YOU OLNY HAVE FULL BREEED,PETS
Janice - 3 years ago
Do you people honestly believe that a law requiring all cats and dogs to be neutered would result in NO cats and dogs after a time? Come on--this is ridiculous!!!! There are so many strays, so many unwanted pets that are dumped--these alone will reproduce at a rapid enough rate to still overwhelm all the shelters in the country. There are millions of dogs and cats euthanised in shelters every year, let alone those we do not know of who are killed in other ways. Besides, there are so many irresponsible owners who would, unfortunately, never comply with such a law.
I do think there could be an exception for registered breeders, even for those who are not breeding purebreds.
I also believe that this type of a law should include a low fee or no fee for those who cannot afford the cost. There should be easy access to facilites to have this done, such as mobile clinics like those used for blood drives. The costs saved by communities not having to maintain so many shelters could be used for spaying and neutering. Perhaps veterinarians could donate a few hours of their time once a month.
(Response to the trainer who claims that altering an animal changes their disposition and that bitches become more aggressive: I sure would not want you for my trainer. I have known and worked with many trainers, all of whom say just the opposite. Maybe you need to return to dog-training school for some additional education. Besides, having dogs and cats altered can avoid many medical problems as they grow older.)
For those of you who would NOT support such a law, go work in a shelter and YOU be the one to do the euthansing. How can you nix the idea of such a law and then look into the eyes of these poor guys as you kill them?
Shelly - 3 years ago
If this laws goes into effect and is MANDATORY for ALL pets, soon there will be no more pets. How very sad for future generations.
Brenda - 3 years ago
I agree with Shan and Leiha (probably others too--didn't read all the posts). There are shelters that don't have enough animals to adopt, so stats about that perpetuated by the animal rights fanatics, who by the way want no one to have any pets at all, are false. If you want to have the right to have pets, folks are going to have to start opposing this "feel good" detrimental legislation that is spreading across the country like a disease. By all means--be smart and get your pets from people who do health testing, or support your local animal shelter. PETA and HSUS operate NO shelters--none of their millions go to helping animals. Someone posted on "mutants" like hairless cats--those are much loved and appreciated by people with allergies. I'm a dog person myself but I'd never be so arrogant or controlling as to say someone with allergies didn't somehow have the right to own one of those cats if that's what they wanted to make their lives better. I've seen people who were horribly traumatized as children primarily survive that by having an animal to love. How dare anyone say no one has the right to have pets to love.
Yes, I fell unless you are a reputable/responsible breeder why wouldn't you want to spay/neuter your pets. Everyone that disagrees need to work/volunteer at a humane that is forced to euthanize because of so many unwanted cats/kittens and dogs/puppies brought to the shelters because of pet owners not being a "responsible pet owner." Believe me is it is not a pretty site!!! So many healthy animals have to pay the price because the owners don't believe in it. What a waste of precious life.!! There is not enough of space at shelters to house the pet overpopulation. Remember the poster that the Humane Society of the United States put out some time ago," pick one and kiss the others goodbye". How true. I volunteer for a humane society and during the summer months (May thru August) it is nothing to take in as many as 250-300 cats/kittens a month. We only have 30 cat cages at our facility. How unfair to the staff that the public finds it easier to dump their litters and sometimes the mother of the litter with them at a humane society, complaining that their pet got pregnant with a litter and they don't want her anymore, so they bring her and the litter to the shelter, but they keep one of the litter, and the cycle starts all over again. Yes, based on what I see at our shelter, unless you are a reputable/responsible breeder, pets should be spayed or neutered. That is a requirement when adopting from our facility.
C Gonzo - 3 years ago
I think that it should be a law that all dogs and cats should be neutered.
HOWEVER...
I think that some animal breeders should be able to apply for a license to breed animals, and even then, only a limited amount of licenses can be handed out to an area.
Casey - 3 years ago
Help control the pet population! Have your pet Spayed or neutered!!
I do believe that dogs who are show dogs or for breeding purpose should be exempt. However, they should have to apply for a license. I am not an extreme animal activist by any means but....I think as pet owners we need to be responsible. Four million dogs and cats (this is about one every eight seconds) are put down in U.S.A each year. This is disgusting. We as Americans should be ashamed! So before we go saying "NO" to Spay/neuter laws please know that only by spaying and neutering ALL companion pets can we control and put an end to this shameful problem.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”
Mahatma Gandhi
Find out who your state representatives are. Write them about the need of a Spay and neuter law!
Angela - 3 years ago
This should NOT be a law! We live in a free country...and I would like to keep it that way! Yes you need to be responsible w/ your pets, but you should not be forced to alter them!
California is facing such a dilemma. As SB250 is going to the senate apropriations committee. It will effectivly require the spaying and neutering of all dogs and cats by 6 months of age with the only exceptions being police and medical Service Dogs and dogs or cats that are activlely participating in breed shows of only allowed breed registries. This makes no provisions for Rare breeds that are not recognised by the "approved" animal registries. This bill is being pushed through by PETA and backed by Bob Barker. While I commend his spay neuter message I vehemiently disapprove of such legislation which will make it difficult or almost impossible for us as pet lovers to obtain pets in the next 5-10 years as there will be none left in this state once the existing animals die, unless you want to pay ridiculous fees to "approved" breeders or have your pet shipped from out of state or out of the country. Too many puppies and kittens are bring brought into the country anyway, stop them instead of stopping responsible breeding. Encourage spay neuter at local shelters or require health testing of registered animals before breeding permits are issued seems like a more responsible way to go about things.
Matt - 3 years ago
There should not be a law. I am a hunter and if my lab is a great dog, and does well in the field or hunt tests, I can choose to breed him to a carefully picked female with similar qualities. Beyond just this though, I have seen what happens in other fields when the government gets involved it costs untold millions/billions of dolars and the results are normally lacking. I guess I think education and responsible breeders need to drive this issue.
It is not necessary to point out the very obvious reasons why cats and dogs should be neutered - is there anyone so lacking in intelligence that they do not grasp them immediately ? All my cats and labradors have been neutered and have lived long, healthy and happy lives. Male dogs who are not castrated are quite revolting in their habits and a total nuisance apart from the fact that they may be responsible for a myriad of unwanted, unhappy mongrel puppies. Only licenced and experienced, trained and heavily inspected breeders should be allowed to retain whole male and female dogs and cats. The people who voted NO to neutering must enjoy the sight of millions of unwanted and abandoned domestic pets whose lives are miserable or who are eventually euthanised. We are overrun by these pathetic creatures and need legislation to control those whose emotions rule their common-sense yet who claim to be animal lovers !
If it were also included in the bill that spaying and neutering would be subsidized to make it a reasonably priced procedure then yes, it should be mandatory for all mutt dogs and cats.
I love mutts. Cat mutts, dog mutts they are wonderful. But the reality is that when we lay our heads down on our comfy pillows tonight, 11,000 dogs, cats, kittens and puppies died today and everyday in the US alone. 11,000 in just one day.
There needs to be something done about this over population problem. Too many innocents are being killed when they should be being loved and petted. There's got to be a moratorium on breeding.
Pet shops that sell dogs and cats need to be shut down. NO reputable breeder sells his or her puppies to a pet shop anyway. They are all from puppy mills. And no matter what regulation there is, animals are kept for breeding stock and spend their lives in cages producing litter after litter after litter and then they are killed when they are no good anymore. Some lucky ones gets a home but don't fool yourself, it's only some.
Another thing!! Rental laws need to be changed to force landlords to accept pets. Sure, have the tenant pay an extra pet deposit. Require that all immunizations be documented and up to date and that ALL pets (Purebred or Mutt) are spayed or neutered. NO ONE should have to be forced to choose between a roof over their heads and their fuzzy family members. NO ONE! This goes for old age homes too. There is NO good reason that pets are not allowed from many assistant living and retirement communities. Oh well, you are too old to live on your own, time to kill your pets. REALLY?
Older people, who have pets, live longer and happier lives. Why cause such a separation? Can they bring in 27 cats....well, no that wouldn't be a good idea for anyone. Regardless of your living situation. Rich or poor, this should not be one of the steps to growing older.
A friend of my mother's is moving to the old age high rise in my home town. She's only allowed to have one cat. Like they are nothing more than furnishings. One little cat. So she may have to put her second cat down as she cannot find a home for him and the shelter is full and refuses her cat.
If you feel you need to have restrictions on pets, restrict the weight. Such as, tenants are allowed 35 lbs for total weight for all cats and like, 110lbs for total weight of all dogs. Some you could have more than one cat. 110 lbs? That's like two medium size dogs. That would not be the actual weight of the pets but what they should weigh. Because we all know that our pets are fat just like us! Something like that, but you don't force people to make such a terrible choice. That's just awful! Besides, good, responsible pet owners would jump at the change to live in a good,pet friendly place. and long term tenants make the landlord more money.
ALL OF THAT being said. Because I am really tired and went off on a tangent.... sorry some things had to be said.
All (mutt) dogs and cats should be spayed and neutered and there should be a forced moratorium on breeders breeding anymore for like five years.
No one has added a comment to this for months, so just let me say that I work with a TNR colony at a fairground in PA and in the last two weeks I delivered two females to the people that get them spayed an neutered. I have been doing this for 10 years. No matter how many laws are passed re: spaying and neutering there will always be an animal that will not be done. A moratorium on the pet population could exist for a few years. I would rather be looking for animals (backwoods areas, farms, countrysides) that do not follow the rules, than to find thousands of kittens and puppies being set up for euthanization. Of course, this will never happen. this is a free country, therefore, people have the right to have pets which they later discard and those pets will continue to populatel and die of starvation or in shelters and no one stops it. The only way this population will end is through mass extinction and according to the indigenous groups of people in their propheicies that is just around the corner.
Bottom line, there are way too many irresponsible, abusive, cruel and neglectful pet guardians out there (in my opinion guardian or caregiver more accurately describes responsible pet care since they're sentient beings not property). I've lost count how many abused, abandoned, traumatized, tortured, neglected, sick pets I've rescued, fostered, rehabilitated and placed into loving forever families over the years and it breaks my heart to hear people justify their reprehensible actions by saying "It's JUST an animal, what's the big deal?" The big deal is that by backyard breeders, puppy/kitten mills and pet stores buying and selling living beings to people who make impulse purchases because "S/he's SOOO cute!" and then they can no longer be bothered with providing proper food, water, shelter, medical care, attention and basic comforts because the "cute" baby has grown up and surprise, surprise, s/he has basic needs. Breeding sentient beings to be discarded like trash doesn't make sense to me. People are forgetting about the appalling euthanasia statistics for pets in North America and as far as those stats go on average shelters euthanize twice as many cats (all ages) as they do dogs (all ages). Overpopulation is only one cause of death in private vet clinics and shelter environments, for example, I've seen animals be euthanized because they're inconvenient (why bother getting a pet if they're so inconvenient?) or human being simply no longer want to take responsibility. Enough is enough with the whole pet store BS of marketing kittens and puppies too young to leave their mothers without any concern whatsoever when it comes to what happens when people in general believe that these babies grow out of the cute stage....Animals need to stop dying for no reason beyond that they're suddenly not wanted for any number of reasons and pet parents and society need to shake their heads, quit with the impulse buying or seasonal gifts of pets and work towards humane education to stop this horrible cycle of unwanted pets being thrown away onto the streets, admitted to shelters (most are euthanized in too many cases), abused, abandoned, euthanized in private vet clinics or neglected. Animals are being victimized at startling rates in one form or another and it's a scary thought if human beings are judged on the way they treat vulnerable beings whether those beings are human beings or animals. I'm not entirely sure that legislation is the answer to this problem, but I certainly agree that there ought to be something done on a massive scale such as putting a reasonable cap on the price of spay/neuter surgery in private clinics and offering incentives like a coupon towards future medical expenses or even a tax break. Somehow this cycle needs to end, but to be honest it's so out of control that I have no idea how to even go about fixing it.....I just know that animals have to stop dying as a direct result of human incompetance, abuse, neglect, ignorance and overall lack of willingness to take responsibility. I am currently a privelaged guardian of three spoiled rotten mixed breed cats, they were all rescues from horrifying situations and they are all spayed and neutered so that they don't contribute to the horrifying overpopulation statistics. I chose to have my cats spayed/neutered because I don't feel that I have the resources to be absolutely certain that I'm placing the cat into a permanent home where his/her caregiver will be responsible and provide wholesome food, good interaction, toys, treats, cozy spots to rest, etc, etc, etc - I need to know that the cat will have a lifetime home if I place him/her and that's just not always possible. I don't envy the animal shelters and rescue groups their task of attempting to find proper homes for an endless stream of unwanted pets.
I believe that most cats & dogs should be neutered & spayed. Only quality & disease-free (no congential or genetic defect animals should be bred) It is up to local veterinarians' to discuss responsible cat/dog/puppy/kitten ownership with an emphasis on spaying/neutering pet quality type animals. (No backyard, "I think she is so cute we want more like her" type of breeders) Working in the veterinary field for more than 23 years I'd seen too many backyard breedings & poor quality sickly puppies (puppy mill/store) never able to reach their 2 years old birthday due to major defects & health issues. Sad.
As far as yes versus no on spaying and neutering, spend a couple of years doing rescue work...you'll vote "yes" in a heartbeat. The world will never run out of dogs and cats. And as far as breeders, take a stroll at your town shelter and see how many purebred dogs are sadly spending their last days occupying a cold and dirty cage. Those dogs were once puppies who were chosen from a litter at a breeder. Now those same puppies are depressed, scared and waiting, sadly, to be euthanized.
As I said, spend a few years doing rescue work, see the thousands of animals gassed, stuck in the heart with drugs to kill them...you will end up wanting every single cat and dog spayed and neutered to try and put an end to the suffering that is happening daily, as we sit in our comfortable homes with our pets, those millions of dogs and cats killed every day...if the law has to be made to prevent that, then so be it. The suffering needs to stop.
And as far as educating people, go ahead, try that. It works for a few...the others could care less. They would rather buy new shoes than have their dog or cat spayed or neutered. Think that doesn't happen? Do rescue for a few years,,,you'll see it all.
yes all cats, dogs and rabbits should be neutered. For those who believe that there wouldn't be any more left. The are millions of homeless animals on the streets that are still reproducing- there will never ever be a shortage of these animals. Go to any shelter how many of those animals ever find homes? less than 30 %. The rest of them are euthanised because no one wants them. Their only crime was being born, worse yet, they could wind up in some medical labs. If you are that heartless and allow this to continue- you are the the animal haters. The only time any animal should be free to reproduce is if they are on the endangered species list. That is justifiable. Become a rescuer and see how difficult it is to find homes for these animals. Rescuers save lives by giving a temporary home to animals and thus reducing the population in the shelters. It may still take additional months or years before a home can be found for these animals. And the unaltered animals continue to reproduce. Thus more and more needless death. Save a life- spay and neuter your pets!
Breeders should be DRASTICALLY controlled and I don't mean just the "puppy mills". For the general public, education and low cost spay/neuter programs are essential. I volunteer with a local Trap, Neuter, Release program. Every week, I mean every week, there are a half dozen new kittens found in my local area - and its a small area. It is appalling how many tens of thousands of animals are put to sleep each year due to the lack of any available home for them. I cannot say YES to a law that would require mandatory spay/neuter as I too would not want to live in a world without pet dogs & cats. EDUCATON is key. LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER is key. Those of us who volunteer for these feed and rescue programs realize we can't fix the entire world, but we know we can help fix our own small part of the world. Do the right thing. When you see an abandoned animal, try to help or contact someone who can or will help. Give up the cost of dinner out Friday night and take the animal to be spayed or neutered! Did you buy a soda or cup of coffee out today instead of taking it from home? That money could have fed an abandoned dog or cat for the day. Compasion is a great thing!!
I answered yes but with the exception that the law should be flexible enough to allow certified breeders (not puppy mills) and individuals to breed pure blood, AKC (or the international equivalent) registered animals. Not only would this be better for the health of many animals it would help to preclude the breeding of the so called "petigreed" American Pitbull, which in fact is not a pure blood breed. Living in North Carolina and having worked on a county level as an animal cruelty investigator we didn't the Vick's case to make us aware of dog fighting rings which almost exclusively use the so called pure bred American Pitbull. While we're at it, maybe the AKC should turn to the International breeding certification standards for their requirements for registering a pure breed. Most European breeding associations will not accept certain American bred pure bloods into their breeding stock because of our propensity for inbreeding and creating genetic predispositions towards certain ailments, i.e. American bred Great Danes have a high incidence of deafness, American bred Labrador Retrievers tend to get brain cancers, American bred German Shepherds are frequently diagnosed with hip displacure, etc. etc. etc. I'm not saying that all these breeds should not be allowed to reproduce, but I am saying that better guidelines for breeding practices should be introduced and adhered to in the U.S. I'm hopping off my soap box now, but I have been blessed with my pets having long and healthly lives which I directly correlate to their being spayed/neutered.
I believe there are some people that should not own pets, just as there are some people that should not have children. If there are going to be any kind of controls or restrictions to the number of litters pets can have, then there should also be controls on the number of kids people can have.
To have a blanket NO is wrong or the species will die out. No matter what the species.
I dont think that would be a very good law as it is giving the breeders an easier way to charge more for the pets,also they would be in control.I see a lot of dogs that need homes and a lot of them are pure or designer breeds.I love all dogs and would hate to see the day when they are all alike and over bred with imperfections from breeding too closely.Good breeders are like good pet owners.....very much needed but with a law like this you are giving bad breeders more control.Puppy mills will prosper because dogs will be harder to get.Someone will always try to corner the market by trying to lower the prices and this will mean that it may by not adhering to rules.
Why not spend the money on spaying and neutering all the people going to prison...now that would make good sense!!! Got a bad gene pool there!!!
No, I do NOT believe all pets, dogs and cats should be neutered!
I've owned three purebred dogs. All HAVE been. However, if we keep this up, some breeds WILL become non-existent.
It is up to the owner(s), AND so is the RESPONSIBILITY!
i'm goin with Shan....i have 4 dogs n 8 cats. all r spayed n neutered but that is for THEIR health. there r TOO MANY unwanted, abused pets. if they're spayed n neutered then there shouldn't b an overload. i DO NOT want 2 spay n neuter all the dogs n cats off the face of the earth, tho. i'd b lost without my babies. there just shouldn't b so many breeder n PUPPY MILLS NEED TO BE WIPED OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH...FOREVER!!!!
When we adopted Missy from the county shelter 5 years ago as a kitten, the $54 fee included spaying. We were also informed that if she wasn't spayed within a certain time frame, she would be taken from us and we would be fined. So sterilization is already the law here, at least as regards shelter adoptions.
I think that the issue at hand isn't about making sure pets are neutered, but rather taking into consideration the irresponsible owners who don't take proper care of their pets! If you allow your animals to mate, then IT IS NECESSARY to give the litter prenatal care! It's vital for the litter to be taken to the vet for a check up! Let us be 100% candid when we say that the proper care isn't regularly provided and in fact, it's rare. Thus, people who are ignorant and too lazy to spay their pets REQUIRE A LAW to be enacted before they decide to give their pet the health care necessary. THE END.
I agree with most on this page that it we need to keep this a choice and not a law. There are too many laws as there is. This is no longer the land of the free. Saying that, I do believe as a responsible pet owner that not spaying or neutering animals is wrong but if all of them were spayed and neutered, only the rich would be able to afford a pet. I also believe that neutering male cats too young is bad for their health. Just look at all the feline urinary cases. One vet told me that is because once a male is neutered his urethra quits growing and the crystals cannot pass through. These crystals are sharp and cut them causing the infections. I had three male cats, only one was neutered at 6 months. The other two were neutered older since they were strays when I adopted them. Neither of these two developed any problems but the one that was neutered at 6 months almost died from it at 5 years old. I do tell people who adopt male cats to wait longer than 6 months to neuter them, but most shelters neuter them before they adopt them out and others make you sign papers promising to neuter them at 6 months. I have all females now and will not adopt a make cat because of this.
I think all breaders should have a license and all pets owned by persons other than breeders should have their pets spayed/neutered.
I voted no. Some of the best dogs and cats are mixed breeds. In fact, thats how a lot of the breeds today came to be. I do recommend that pets be spayed/neutered if you can't afford them breeding or you're not going to breed them. This world would be sad and lonely if the only dogs and cats were pure breeds from breeders because they are so pricey. My cat is neutered for those of you who are against owners who don't think like me. He and I are happier that way. No more roaming at night across streets looking for girlfriends. That's why I recommand it, but I don't think it should be a law.
I think people should spay/neuter because they want to, not because they have to. I have always spay/neutered my pets because I knew I did not want puppies or kittens, having no place to place them. Many people have this attitude, as evidenced by many of these comments.
If we were to limit breedable cats and dogs only to licensed breeders, there would come a time where many people simply could not afford to get a kitten or puppy. Breeders charge money for the purebred pets they sell, often a sizeable amount. Do we really want to lock this down so only someone with several hundred dollars, or even several thousand dollars, to spend up front can have the privilege of having a cat or dog?
I adopted my current cat as a kitten, free, from someone whose cat had "unexpected kittens". Our previous cat came from a shelter. Both are/were neutered because I don't want to have unexpected kittens (or contribute to them with an unaltered male cat). But at the same time, I would hate to have the law telling me I could not chose to allow my cat to have kittens even if I would deal with that responsibly, without meeting whatever criteria (and paying whatever fees) they choose to implement for "licensed breeders".
Let's try to solve problems by education, not legislation, wherever and whenever possible. Legislation should ideally be a last resort, when all else has failed, not the first option considered.
Government has no business in our personal lives.I live in CA where PETA is alive,well and living in the Sacramento legislature.Regardless of the fact that it has been proven to them that mandatory S/N not only does NOT save money,it costs money,they're still going ahead and trying to pass mandatory S/N ALL breeds/ALL dogs & cats,NO exceptions.
This is insane and discriminatory.
I have 3 show dogs,2 are S/N'ed.The third will be spayed after,Lord willing,she has ONE litter.I've done all the testing to ensure healthy puppies and will sell companions on limited registration w/a portion of the sale price to be returned upon evidence of S/N.The rest will be co-owned by myself.This is to ensure that their owners "do the right thing".
As for government and PETA??? Stay OUT of my life!
As long as there are unwanted dogs and cats in shelters, on the streets or with people who can't care for them, I think they should be spay and neutered. I am all for getting rid of these shelters that claim they are doing what is best for animals only to kill so many of them. When it becomes a shortage then and only then should the law change. But then I also believe there should be a law allowing people to have no more than two children.
For all you NO voters, there are between Five and Six MILLION cats and dogs put to DEATH Every Single Year for no other reason except there are not enough homes for them. Wake up people, untill ALL pets are spayed and neutered that number will not go down. For all you uninformed that think spaying and neutering will bring an end to cats and dogs please take a few minutes and do some reasearch, that will not happen. What spaying and neutering will do is provide heathier happier pets and will save some millions of lives. Wake Up People.
In Phoenix AZ 100 cats a day are turned into the AZ Humane Society! You do the math. I am going down Monday to give them canned cat food to feed the kittens they have. There was a plea from them on their (public service) show "Pets on Parade" today. This is the result of indiscriminate breeding and needs to be ended. I love my babies and have had the honor of having 9 companions over my life and have had all 9 neutered. All were happy, healthy, and long lived.
Cats and dogs should only be neutered if the are NOT breeding.
Hence, should not become law or else over time there will be no more.
i know i'll get a lot of hate comments- i believe pet stores have a place in this world- not everyone can afford a pet from a "breeder". but i also feel pet stores should only be able to buy from registered/licensed breeders that are inspected regulary and surprise visits. some so called breeders are not "breeders" they just happed to have dogs that have mated and they have puppies- no work for them. ive known people who bought dogs online from supposed breeders but the animals are sick or not what they expected. at least at the local pet store i saw my dog- held and played with him- put a deposit while i slept on it. had my vet check him out as soon as i brought them home and they are fine. so yes to registering and licensing of breeders and yes to spay and neutering of all others
While this poll does read, "..all pets..." I believe the sentiment was best expressed in Dr. Jon's newsletter (08/29/2009) that stated, "Unless you are a qualified breeder of a good quality pet and you have the resources to be a good breeder..." In that light, I must agree that ALL pets should be spayed/neutered. I have participated in TNR programs for several years and have been witness to the sheer magnitude of ferals resulting from un-spayed/un-nuetered pets.
ALL pet lovers should want this as a mandate; however, only if the mandate is worded properly. More programs must be established to defray surgical/medical costs in order to entise active participation at present. As a species, cats and dogs will not perish; instead, they will thrive in healthy and loving homes given that such a mandate is enacted. At present these loving creatures needlessly become victims to euthanasia, shelters, puppy mills and cat houses as not everyone can afford responsible pet ownership.
Most pet owners begin their pet relationships with good intentions for proper and responsible pet care; unfortunately, bad times befall us all occasionally. And, who is made to suffer? Our pets did not ask to be brought into this world and should not be made to suffer because of our hardships. It is selfish of the human race to not do what is in their pet's best interest if we have willingly assumed the responsibility for their care.
EDUCATE PEOPLE ON RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP. SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS!
I believe in spaying an neutering all pets with the exception for verified cat/dog breeders.
I think it's a good idea. As others have already said, cats and dogs will not go extinct. There are way too many strays out there without homes. And there are plenty of people who would ignore the law and end up with unwanted litters. I love animals, cats in particular. Not only that, I have volunteered for my local Humane Society, as well as another cat rescue society and I see too many homeless cats out there.
I feel it should be the choice of the owner. If it was required by law and the off chance everyone followed it couldn't it lead to the possible extintion of cats and dogs. And also there is other circumstances to have it done and not. If some one has indoor pets only then there is absoulty no need same goes for the vaccines as well. But if you have a pet like a cats that goes out side and roams then it is wise to do. And if there is an escape artist of a dog it is wise to do for them also. But ultimatley spaying and neutering as well as vaccines should be the pet owners choice.
I, too, voted NO. For most of us I very much believe that all should be spayed or neutered, and very definately believe that for most we should consider rescue when adopted a new cat, but for those who are good, ethical, qualified breeders, the no, they should spay or neuter nor should we eliminate the possibility of obtaining purebreed kitties from those qualified, good, ethical breeders.
If spaying and neutering were mandatory, dogs and cats would eventually follow the normal rules of an economy, where there is a limited supply and the cost of purchasing one would become extremely high and only those who could afford a "purebreed" would be able to have the companionship of a pet. I think that far more education is needed instead of restricting the species.
Also if it becomes a law it should be free to do if it becomes mandatory. its already a very routine surgury.also if it becomes a law that doesn't mean that if family pets who arent fixed would be put to sleep.
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH DR. JON. I love animals and yet i see countless numbers of HOMELESS NEGLECTED cats and dogs in the street and WAITING in shelters to be PUT DOWN. i think that yes there should be a law to have owners spay and neuter ther pet unless they have some kind of liscence to breed them. i know this is a free country and all but when owners are irresponsible and let their animals produce litter after litter this country doesnt become a kind place for the animals people cant or woun't take are of, because they cant afford it or they dont care. Watch animal planets shows like animal cops or at least pay attention when the add for the aspca comes on asking for donations and see the skinny, sickly, sad animals who have seen hardly any kindness. so yes there should be a law. When people rescue a pet from the aspca shelters they are required to spay or neuter anyways for the very reason of the over population of homeless abused animals. They have a WEEK to wait in kennels TILL THEY ARE KILLED. so we need to prevent that from happening by loving and careing enough about the new generations and fixing the ones we have. That doesnt mean we should wipe them clean from the world JUST BE RESPONSIBLE.
If ALL dogs and cats were neutered/spayed, wouldn't that mean both species would go extinct? And besides, some people purposely breed dogs, that would destroy that for them.
@ P.TaylorJr; according to Maddie's Fund, a pet rescue foundation, about 3.7 million dogs and cats are killed in shelters each year. Some of those are not adoptable because of illness/injury or viciousness. Currently about 4 million pets are adopted from shelters every year. If only 2 more pets per shelter per day were adopted out, no healthy adoptable pets would be killed in shelters.
Read more about that here: http://www.maddiesfund.org/Documents/No%20Kill%20Progress/Getting%20to%20No%20Kill%20by%202015.pdf
There is a city that has no dog limits, no mandatory spay/neuter laws and no breed specific legislation, yet they do not do any population control killing. Read about that here: http://saveourdogs.net/2009/04/03/“the-best-animal-control-program-in-north-america”/
I've done rescue. Mandatory spay/neuter laws increase the number of dogs and cats that are killed in shelters because they are confiscated from owners that cannot afford the hundreds of dollars for the major surgery and since they are not strays, the shelter is not required to hold them. They are killed for no other reason than that their owners could not afford to comply with the law to cut out their reproductive organs.
Animal welfare organizations and the AVMA oppose mandatory spay/neuter laws. Animal rights organizations that want to see domestic species of animals become extinct are all for them.
For those of you who say no, try working for a rescue group for 1 month and see how important it is not only for the health of your pet but to controll the population. It's a very sad world for all the animals who are thrown out once they become pregnant. Not only that but the children who have'nt been taught respect for these poor babies. I can't begin to tell you all the sad cases we with rescue groups see every day. Get involved with a rescue group and then see what you think. I work with Colony Cat's of Ohio and you people who say No, have no idea of the sad cases we deal with every day. Not to mention the cost of saving these animals that that the owners have turned out to make it on thier own. Shame on these people.
I cant believe that people say that it should not be required. There are over 10,000,000 cats and dogs put down every year because of lack of homes. Remember death is forever.
No, I most emphaticly do not think it should be a law that ALL dogs and cat pets be spayed or neutered. The government legislates too many aspects of our lives as it is without being able to legislate manditory surgical procedures for our pets. Also, if ALL cats and dog pets are spayed/neutered, the species will die out. That being said, I have five Dachshunds, all spayed/neutered. I know enough about breeding to know that I don't know enough to breed. However, a responsible, knowledgeable breeder should be able to breed his/her dogs/cats. Responsible pet ownership means making the best decisions for the welfare of the pet; for me, that means spaying/neutering my pets for their health and my peace of mind. I encourage all my acquaintances to do the same. The legislation should take aim at puppy mills and not try to make a criminal of owner X who hasn't spayed/neutered his/her 6 1/2 month puppy.
im a big no on laws that require changing animals natural behaviour/reproductive system just to please humans because its messy or more difficult. A dog and cat do not exist on this earth for us and are not to be confused with toys or objects. And by the way there are also lots of orpan humans around, should we maybe spay and neutre all human beings who WE believe are unffit in producing children. Thats all ridicilous. Dogs and cats get it on like we do, lets not disneyfy this fact. And the very idea of breeders is an absolute unnatural occurance and the reason why we have ridicilous breeds that cant go up stairs, smell or see properly but hey the look CUTE and because their from breeder its ok. We bought our westhighland terrier bitch from a family whose 3 year old bitch got pregnant with the neighbours westhighland terrier dog. Shes the sweetest and quite intelligent dog. We will never do anything so horrible to our dog as to take away part of her identity. No woman on earth that knows the benifits of having a period would ever freely step into menopause early in life, so why should my bitch?
I believe in "adopt - don't buy" dogs and cats. There are too many in the shelters in need of a loving home. I think that an additional fee should be charged upon licensing a dog that hasn't been spayed/neutered. In addition to that, I believe there should be a certification process required (by an organization like AKA or equivalent in reputation) for anyone who wishes to breed their dog and charge money for the puppies. Too many people think they will make money off their purebreds and just end up filling up the shelters in the end. We have a Pit Bull population problem in our area due to irresponsible dog owners. I've done my best to help by adopting two at once after losing my last Pit. When people ask me why on earth don't I breed them I simply tell them that if I wanted more Pit Bulls I'd go adopt more - NOT bring more into the world thru my two dogs, which gives the shelter dogs less of a chance for adoption.
First of all, let me say that my three cats are spayed and Neutered. And, I bielve that if your animal is not being bred by a licensed breeder then yes it should be. There are way too many dogs and cats that are not under a licensed breeder running arround. And just look at all the unwanted kittens and puppies in our shelters. Yes please spay and neuter your animals.
Yes, I strongly believe that all pets should be spayed & nuetered! I also believe that there should a liscense to breed if that's what they decide. With the MILLIONS of cats & dogs put to sleep yearly,I don't know how anyone could dispute this. It's so much better for their health & welfare that it really makes it hard to disagree. People are so careless with their pets sometimes, I've seen neighbors that just allowed their Kitty's to have litter after litter & would just dump them at the shelter like that is supposed to happen! Just with what I've seen helps me to believe that I'm not the only person in this country to have witness this kind of neglect. The free spay & nueter van comes around a few times a year & this should be taken more advantage of. I support the trap & release program for feral cats & all dogs should be "fixed' when they enter a shelter. I realize that they are in most states but more laws are surely needed to help all these helpless pets because we really are their voice!
There have been a lot of good points made on both sides of the question. But I still have to say NO to mandatory spay and neuter for all dogs and cats. Responsible pet owners will consider the health of their little companion first. We need the hobby and show breeders to keep quality pets available.
I do believe that additional charges for licensing an unaltered animal are fair. Many towns and cities already have this in place and are strict about enforcing licensing. The licensing offices even have lists of low cost spay and neuter clinics.
Unfortunately, no matter how many laws are enacted, there will always be the irresponsible pet owner that neglects their animal. It is unfortunate that we cannot legislate common sense!
I voted yes, but it is a very complicated matter - the only way to stop just some of the suffering of dogs and cats would be a "law". With all the education out there, we still have overcrowded shelters and millions of homeless animals put to death every year, while humans keep spitting out more & more puppies and kittens. I surely hope for a brilliant solution.
Spay & Neuter is a positive responsible action of pet owners. I feel only qualified owners with quality animals should be allowed to have a breeding program. Sometimes even the best breeding plans don't work as well as the breeder wanted, but still produce wonderful pet quality animals. Each breed association could develope a list of the physical & mental traits they want represented within the breed. A scale could be used to determine if the off-spring has good enough conformation & mental traits to represent it's breed & could become a breeding animal. However, if it does not, then that animal must be spayed or neutered. I'm sure some rough spots would need smoothing out, & people who are more knowledgable about this than I could add to this, or maybe say why it wouldn't work. But it's important that we not only recognize we have a problem with unwanted pets, but a way to solve this problem in a responsible fashion, & still allow quality/responsible breeding to take place. Including Spay & Nueter, does someone else out there have ideas on how to control the breeding situation? I'd love to hear feedback.
Besides the very clear outcome a law like this would result in..... no pets for anyone, period, has anyone thought about the constitutiality of a law like this? My dog is mine. It is not the states. As such he is my property. That being said how is it right that the state ( federal or local) can tell me when or if I can breed my dog?
Regarding the issue of overpopulation. When is the last time you saw a pack of feral dogs running down your street? Go to the pound. You will notice that most, if not all of the dogs there were once owned. According to my local ASPCA the large majority of dogs that are turned over are there because their owners felt they could not control them. That is, they were not able to properly train their dog. That is an entirely different thing than litters of puppies being born that are not able to find homes.
For all of you who voted not to spay or neuter shame on you. Start opening your homes to the homeless animals and start volunteering at your local shelter. Those of you who didn't vote for spay or neuter because they would become extinct? Come on! Get a reality check. You really took that one to the extreme. Not only are the shelters being flooded with unwanted puppies and kittens but there is an increase of older animals being dropped off at the shelters because families are losing their homes and are giving them to the shelter. It all comes down to responsibility whether you own a mutt or a purebreed, do we need any more to die unecessarily? Preach to those you know that have not had their animal altered. Learn about the special programs in your areas. I'm sure they are there.
I agree with this to an extent, yes I strongly believe that dogs and cats should be desexed due to the almost epidemic situation we have here ( in Aust ) with 66 dogs / cats being euthanised daily, which can simply be avoided if people had the decency to stop unwanted litters or control their pets. Unfortunately that question was a little vague, I think that breeders should hold a permit or a licence to have an undesexed animal and only sell desexed animals to the general public, this hopefully will stop all the unwanted litters from being destroyed but also free up money within the local governments who have to provide the not only food, water and shelter but also the carers and attendents of these animals for up to a month before destroying them. All these extra costs for the government could be minimsed by eliminating such a simple problem and also the fact that it saves lives, should be an incentive to any animal lover, yes it may make animals more expensive but for the greater good I hope that people will realise.
Reply to Char: Honey - the Humane Society in MY SMALL COMMUNITY - 30% of those pets have registration papers. The organization I volunteer with - we receive abanonded cats on the doorstep . It's about responsibility, not about the price of the cat/dog they purchased. I had to break suddenly because a Shar Pai ran in front of my car over the weekend. I appreciate the driver behind me was paying attention or they would have been in my trunk. People live in rural environments and often let their dogs run. A Pixi-Bob was released to our organization. With her papers. The owner invested $3,500 in that cat. Beautiful cat who didn't like anyone but me. Shunned prospective adopters. She ignored them. I called my sister to come meet her - thinking I can't adopt her but maybe she'll like my sister, who has had Abbys and understands their personality. She now has a very good home.
I believe there should be laws that pets be spayed and neutered - and if the owner CHOSES to NOT spay/neuter their pet - they pay for a waiver and the un-altered pet be fenced and supervised at all times. Things most responsible pet owneres already do, right? Wrong. The local shelter in my community destroys thousands of adoptable pets yearly. My community is a small city and the county combined have only about 230,000 people. There are not enough HOMES for the pets! There will NEVER be a situation of too few PETS! I have volunteered with a no-kill rescue organization since 1984. I have seen abuse and neglect first hand. 'there won't be any pets!' is a very un-informed response! There will always be homeless pets - because people treat their car better than they treat their pet. They will trade in a car. They abandon their pet.
I breed dogs and responsibly place them and I have to say, I can't imagine anybody who pays a reasonable amount for a dog is going to just let it run free because they don't want it anymore. In over 20 years of breeding I have had a few people need me to take their dog back because they were unable to keep it any longer. Besides being a family pet, these people made an investment in the animal. It wasn't just something free they got on a whim and then just as easily discarded. These are "real people" who made an informed decision and bought a dog. Most of the people who come to me are people I've made friends with. Some have gone on to become breeders and when they did, I did my best to help them become responsible breeders, too. After all, when I got my first dog, I didn't realize then I would be taking her to dog shows and eventually breeding her. If a law like this had been forced on me, I would have not been able to become more involved in my doggy hobby. It would have taken something away from me because it would have never allowed me the opportunity to decide for myself. It's just plain crazy to think this is a good idea. Listen to all the reasonable people who say this shouldn't happen in our free country.
I voted "not sure." My gut reaction to this poll was "yes" with the provision that licensed breeders and those who show animals (the AKC requires show animals be not spayed or neutered) would be able to keep them un-fixed. But then I read some of the comments and realized that if only breeders and show-ers had unspayed animals, then all the animals would, by necessity, be purebred. Every dog and cat I've ever owned has been a mixed breed with the exception of one (who, incidentally, had breed-related health problems since the day he was born). So that being said, I don't think there should be laws mandating spaying and neutering, BUT i do feel that there should be more of an incentive to spay and neuter our pets. The surgery should be less expensive, or be eligible for tax-deduction or rebates from the government health authorities. In NYC (where I currently live) there's a $3 discount per year on licensing your animal if they're fixed. I don't think that's enough to influence those who aren't spaying or neutering for financial reasons. The surgery for my dog cost $80 (not including the office visit fee, the anastesia fee, etc). It would take longer than the lifetime of the dog to be reimbursed for it at a rate of $3 per year. I feel that if there were greater incentives, without government mandates, the numbers of unwanted pets in shelters would greatly decrease. And just as a note; even though my first dog was purchased from someone who I feel irresponsibly allowed their dogs to breed, in the future I plan to obtain pets through rescues and shelters.
This was a question on a poll http://www.petplace.com/polls.aspx?pi=102
Do you think it should be law that ALL dog and cat pets are neutered and spayed?
Well if they neutered and spayed Every Dog and Cat that are pets( I consider my dogs pets ) there would be no more clients For Vets . Big Box Pet stores would run out of Customers .
Dog food company's would go bankrupted . Dog groomers would have no more clients Ekkkkkkkkkk that is me :(
The unethical dog and cat breeding and law breakers are the one filling up the animal shelters .
A law that mandates anything is always a bad idea. In this particular case it would only punish those who operate within the law and never affect the people who are operating sub standard kennels.
People, lets use our heads a little, here. If ALL dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, then in ONE generation, there will be NO MORE dogs and cats! Is that REALLY what you all want?
YES WE NEED BETTER LAWS PUT IN PLACE FOR ALL THE FUR BABIES IN THE WORLD. FIRST OF ALL LOOK HOW MANY ARE ABUSED AND HAVE NO HOMES. WE ARE OUT OF CONTROL WITH BREEDING AND THINK FUR BABIES ARE THROW AWAYS AND HAVE NO FEELINGS. IT’S LIKE HAVING TONS OF HUMAN BABIES AND NO WAY TO TAKE CARE OF THEM AND GIVE THEM A QUALITY LIFE. IT’S NO DIFFERENT FOR THE FUR BABIES IN THE WORLD. YES, ALL DOGS AND CATS NEED TO BE NEUTERED AND SPAYED. IF PEOPLE THINK THIS IS CRUEL THEN DON’T YOU THINK IT’S CRUEL TO SEE ALL THE FUR BABIES WITH OUT HOMES AND NO FOOD AND TOSS TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD? I SEE MORE DEAD DOGS AND CATS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BECAUSE HORRIBLE INHUMANE PEOPLE WHO DON’T CARE ABOUT THEIR BELOVED PET AND GIVE THEM UP LIKE IT’S A PIECE OF FURNITURE THEY ARE TIRED OF. THINK ABOUT IT WE NEED TO BE THE VOICE FOR ALL THESE FUR BABIES. NO MORE PUPPY MILLS OR PET STORES SELLING ANIMALS. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH LOVING PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD THAT CARE FOR THESE FUR BABIES AS IT IS. STOP THE OVER POPULATED OUT OF CONTROL BREEDING. AND TAKE CARE OF THE ONES IN THE SHELTER AND HOMELESS THAT NEED GOOD LOVING HOMES. HAVE MERCY ON THESE FUR BABIES!!!!!!
definitely spay and neuter....many try to say that if everyone did that there wouldnt be enough "pets for the future" GIVE ME A BREAK. There will always be people out there that unfortunately will not get caught by the law and they are the ones that will have their unrestrained animals running wild. I am associated with a For Life Shelter........go into a shelter sometime and see what ignorance causes......starving, abused, homeless, & maimed animals.
All right. You say you want the choice to be left up to you whether or not your pets are spayed or neutered. Then start taking responsibility for the millions of other people in the U.S. who aren't taking care of their pets. Be prepared to open your home to all the animals that are born as the result of some "accident" and dumped on the street or left at a shelter. Every year millions of dogs and cats are turned into shelters because their owners no longer want them and a staggering number are euthanized. So do you suppose that's a just system? Who is going to adopt all the animals that are being born to all the intact pets in America?
If you are concerned that dogs and cats might pass into extinction, please volunteer at your nearest shelter or for a feral cat rescue ASAP. Ask your local vet for a lesson in cat or dog breeding. If you are armed with facts instead of some wild notions, perhaps you will change some of your opinions. As Dr. Jon mentioned, pyometra, mammary cancer, and prostate cancer are a genuine risk for animals who remain open and these are terrible fates for our beloved companions.
Laws are not meant to crush people's will, but to offer sensible guidelines. I am not delighted about giving my animals a Rabies shot every three years, but I am glad that rabid dogs and cats are not a threat to me, my animals, or my neighbors. Often, we have to strike a balance between what seems like meddling and what ultimately results in the greater good for everyone.
The laws regarding animals have changed markedly since humane societies started popping up in the 1800s, but we can't expect either these societies or laws to make us better humans. If you don't want the government sticking their nose in your life, then put your money where your mouth is and help stop the unnecessary breeding of dogs and cats in your neighborhood, town, and across the country. And volunteer for your local animal shelter.
>..., but then again Danielle does make a good point. The question does >say "all dog and cat PETS," not all dogs and cats.
Yes, let's spay/neuture all pet dogs and cats, then the dogs and cats available with be the feral ones. I have 2 purebred show dogs, that are fixed because I didn't want to breed them. Maybe, someday, I would have that "great" dog and would want to breed him/her. but I couldn't because they are "fixed". What's next, everyone on welfare has to be sterilized to prevent them from having children that they can't support?????
Sad to have to say it, but as someone who has rescued more than her share of dogs (many of them purebred) and worked with rescue groups for 3 breeds, I'd have to say that I believe some sort of law should be put into place giving people the option: (1) either spay or neuter your dogs and cats or (2) if you wish to breed, apply for a license and submit to and PASS inspections by some organization with the welfare of dogs/cats (ASPCA??) as it's charter.
if you are not well to cut down on the number of unwanted animals then a law will force you to have you seen the number of animals put to death because they are not wanted.
I have a dog I wanted the option to show in conformation (which we did several times) who I planned to neuter when I would no longer be showing him. He started having seizures as a young dog, about 2 per year. It would have been a risk to put him under anaesthesia for the surgery, so I chose not to. I would have been heartbroken if anything went wrong during a surgery that was not absolutely necessary. So the matter is not always so black & white and therefore I feel it should be left up to the owner. My dog is now 17 years old and I am truly blessed to have enjoyed his companionship all these years.
I believe that breeding and spaying and neutering should be controlled. Not all dogs need to be "fixed" because then there would be no pets in the future. We have so many unwanted animals in the rescues and dog pounds. Breeders should be limited to how many litters each of their breeders have and how often. Dogs and cats, in my personal opinion, should not be bred by people unfamiliar with the dogs backgrounds, health issues, and simply for the purpose of having puppies to sell or give to friends.
Health issues are a significiant reason but not reason enough.
I voted NO simply because I show my PETS in conformation which cannot be done with a spayed or neutered animal. Those who plan on having a pet for a companion should spay/neuter not only for the health of the pet, but a spayed or neutered pet generally makes a better, calmer companion. I know this from experience. there are responsible breeders out there who make sure that their pet puppies/kittens go to homes where they are sure to be S/N. i think that all breeders should make this a bigger priority. Those who purchase a new puppy or kitten should do their research and find a responsible breeder who has good and healthy animals. after that it is the new owners responsibility to S/N their pet.
Ooops...I did forget one other area that I feel should not be covered by the mandatory spaying and neutering for PET cats and dogs...and that is those who are also show dogs...again, though, I feel they should have to provide documentation and be listed as such in a state-wide/nation-wide database.
I do believe that all PETS should be spayed or neutered. Only licensed breeders should be allowed to not spay/neuter an animal.
That being said...I think that before they crack down on the pet owners with a law, they should tighten the laws regarding breeders.
First off...take the licensing of breeders away from the USDA...these are not beef cattle--they are PETS. All dog and cat breeders should have to be licensed by another government arm/branch.
Secondly, in order to receive a license, they should have to undergo an on-site visit and provide documentation on each animal they own and intend to breed showing up-to-date health checks, vaccinations, and dentals by a licensed veterinarian, signed off on by that veterinarian.
Thirdly, once they are licensed to breed, all their information, including names and information of each dog or cat to be bred and their individual health info, should be entered into at least a state-wide but preferably a nation-wide database that would have the ability to red flag any breeders who have not turned in the documentation to provide evidence of each animal's yearly health checks, vaccinations, and dentals--including all animals in all litters, as well as the people who buy each one of the kittens/puppies from those litters, and which would also have the ability to cross-check each of those kittens/puppies from those litters with the dams and sires that are listed as being bred by them in the state-wide/nation-wide database.
Fourthly, then, once those measures are in place, they need to also make it illegal to buy from anyone other than a licensed breeder. Whatever government agency/branch/arm this would be assigned to needs to crack down not only on puppy/kitten mills--they need to seize their records and fine any and all people who have purchased animals from them (including and especially pet stores who propogate such mills due to nothing more than greed).
If all the above were implemented, then breeders would be being held to the standards they should be by the government branch/division they should be; the people who purchase animals from them would not be propogating a horrible life for animals in mills; people would be being more responsible pet owners; it would cut down on the number of unwanted pets on the street since there would be more room for them to go to rescue groups with the rescue groups not being filled up with animals from mill rescues; and, most importantly of all, it would help improve the quality of life for all pets, which is, as people who love animals, what we are really most concerned about, isn't it???
I work with great apes all day and return home to my beloved dogs. I think it is not only unethical but cruel to put another thriving animal on the endangered species list because of overpopulation. Remember the passenger pigeon?
"ALL dog and cat PETS " What if your show dog is a PET, most of them are. I think it means "ALL dogs and cats". Say NO to mandatory S/N.
I voted "No" but I do believe there are a lot of things to be considered. First off, I don't believe it is something that government or local authorites should be involved in. I DO believe however, that there are way too many pets that are unwanted. I believe there are many people who would like to spay or neuter, but just plain can't afford it. I have a border collie myself, that I would like to have neutered, but I have to live on Disability and just plain can't afford it right now. To me, getting his shots and heart worm pills and quality food are more of a priority. If there were more low cost spay and neuter clinics, I think it would solve a lot of problems. I have called all over and can't find one myself. If the government wants to get involved, let them help out in that way and don't FORCE everyone to do it. I think in this way the problem would eventually take care of itself. L.H.
No, it should NOT be a mandatory law for ALL pets to be altered. Show dogs are pets, hunting dogs are pets, working dogs are pets, if you alter all pets then you have made a conscience descions to make all dogs/cats extinct. I agree that not all dogs/cats should be bred but you can not tell if a dog is genetically sound-to breed-until after the age of two (OFA). I own/raise/train/breed working (stock) dogs. I am unable to know who is suitable to breed until they are two-three yrs of age and have passed all health checks and will work the way that I want/require them too. Dogs-especially the medium to larger breeds should not be altered until they are at least a year old. The growth plates need to have completed there process or you cause more issues with the dogs. Yes you can alter at a young age but just because you can does not make it safe for all dogs. Responsible breeders wait until the dogs are at least two and do checks...I know BYB don't care, puppy mills don't care....and do you really think that the BYB/PM breeders are going to care what the law is and if they are breaking it? Who is going to ensure that everyone-not just the responsible breeders who are already trying to do right by their chosen breed- is altering the dogs? Who is going to pay for it? It is our (breeders) responsibility to breed our dogs and to ensure those not acceptable for breeding are altered. It is NOT the Governments job. There are more important issues that they should be dealing with not taking away our rights are our respect.
I believe it should be up to the Responsible Owner of that Dog! The key word is Responsible!!! No one should have the right to tell / demand that owner what we should do with our dog...member of our family.!!! Also, it gives me pause when people make laws that effect all ...vs a few owners who are not concerned for the better good of their dog.
Question... you people who are so determined to neuter all dogs...take away responsible owners' right to make their own decision... Where are you when we, the Responsible Owners are : Taking care, giving love, shelter, food, paying the vet bills & the grooming bills, walking our love ones..part of our family in all types of weather..no matter what season... we are out there everyday! Loving our Dogs-Babies as our Family!
I don't recall seeing or hearing from any of you.. to recommend paying our vet bills, grooming bills, offering to pay for our (babies..love ones) food & treats bills. .hmmm. It;s funny (not laughing @ all ) how you all have your reasons for demanding we fix..neuter ALL our Dogs... I say... make laws that are for non responsible owners...not put US..RESPONSIBLE OWNER in the same category.
We have a right as American Citizens, responsible Dog Owner, Companion Care Giver to make our Own decisions!!!! I hope we are not going backwards ...to where certain people dictated what a group of people couldn't/ were not allowed to do...just some 40+ years ago.... Civil rights....hmmm, Slippery Slope people... Wake UP!!!
I would like to suggest focusing your energy on the shelters- contributing and donating your time, money, and laws- helping the many shelters in your community take care of those dogs that those Non-responsible Owners..or Owners who fell on hard times.
In closing, please leave us...."Responsible Owners Be!...show us the Respect We Deserve!!!
I think it is wrong to ask us a question like that
If every dog was nuetered
Where would we get replacements if ur dog gets hit or runs away huh?
What would you do if they all died out and the only ones allowed to breed were in zoos
that would be horrible
I love having the choice we make people happy sellin our shelties so
I hope it stays that way
thanks for your time :P
The wording of the question: "ALL dog and cat pets" still means ALL dogs and cats! Do people think that breeders do not consider their animals as pets? Most breeders I know are the best pet owners because they actually do something with their pets. They show in herding, agility and other events becoming partners with their dogs. Just because they breed them does not mean they are not pets! Mandatory Spay and Neutering is AGAINST our Constitutional Rights of Freedom!!!! Look at the dogs in the shelters. Most are mixed breeds due to irresponsible owners letting their dogs get out, not from breeders. Wake up America! HSUS has you brain washed!
As someone who works very closely with an animal rescue group, yes, I would love to see a law requiring this. All of the shelters are full, we get heartbreaking emails every day because people find pets, give up pets, etc. and we can't take them in. We work with one shelter who took in 52 OWNER surrenders in ONE day.
Do you realize how many animals are euthanized every single day? Its horrible, yet people think its their "right" to breed animals. Well, if its your "right", then its YOUR responsibility. Don't go dumping litter after litter at the shelters or even worse on the street. Why should I have to pay for the animals that you cast out on the street?
DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER ANIMALS DIE!!!!!!!!!
There are a lot of good views on this, but the long boring life an animal has when fixed is a concern, the benifits to there health arn't enuff for me to fix my dogs and cats. A law inforceing it when we haven't properly enforced our existing laws is cause for concern. If there was a law put in place on fixing your dogs and cats I belive it should be on an owner losing the right to have an animal capable of breeding, people caught with fighting dogs, people caught hording or unmoniterd breeding, people charged with animal abouse. People who are known for turning over kittens and puppys over and over agine to the shelters, those are the people causing the over population, those are the people the law should apply to. I am and know pleanty of animal owners who have animals capable of breeding and they control them and never have unplaned breeding. I don't and I'm sure there are plenty of other animal lovers who don't want to see the wrong people punished for the greater good, although I do see the advantage of a law like this, if anyone has seen a wild cat, or a dog that has been abandoned a law like this really seems like the answer, but I doo think that knowlage in the real answer, education is the key, a better enforcement of current laws and better punishment for those break them, bigger fines, longer jail times, and volunteering should be automatic for everyone who breaks these laws.
Oh yes, and as far as legitimate breeders who have 20+ years experience in their breeds needing to "take a class" to be "liscensed" to pursue our hobby...we could teach the class! What other hobbies, beside hunting and fishing, are legislated by state and local authorities. Should we liscense scrapbookers because they create tons of paper waste and are not recycling it? And giving animal control acces to our homes to check sanitary conditions, how dare you?? Should your home be fair game to government officials to be checked for sanitary conditions for your pets and children? Believe me, when puppy buyers get here, if the conditions are not what they should be, they would be turned off and leave without a new little fuzz ball to love. Somewhere I believe I've heard that in America, we have a right to privacy and the pursuit of happiness. Oh yes, it's in our Constitution and bill of rights! Remember those dusty old documents. Be very careful people, we are loosing more freedoms every day and soon it will be an irreversable problem and this will be a totalitarian nation. Very scary indeed.
Many excellent points people. And I don't want to be redundant, but I must agree with the many that point to the relinquishing of our freedoms from endlessl, uninforceable legislation that is beginning to seep into every arena of our lives. In every municipality in this country, there are laws against animal cruelty, which enforced, would help to end the puppy mill crisis we have in this country. If officials cannot enforce existing statutes, how will they be able to do so with the new, oppressive legistaltion pending in many states that will severly limit legitimate breeders - people who have the best interest and improvmement of their breeds at heart, not a fast buck - from pursuing their goals. Legitimate breeders do sell their puppies on limitied registration with spay neuter agreements. We also carefully screen all puppy buyers for suitability and ability to provide lifelong homes for their new family member. In my case, I retain a right of first refusal in the event that the new owner cannot keep their pet for it's lifetime, it comes back here for rehoming. Over my 20 years in my breed, I have had to priviledge to breed many AKC Champions and also to see many lives enriched by the pet quality animals that did not stay here for a show career. I have been blessed to have developed many new friendships with my puppy buyers and have had them return years later for a new family member after having to sadly say goodbye to their first beloved pet. I suggest in this great debate that before legislators tack on new, restrictive laws that smack of the AR agenda, that they first figure out ways to enforce existing laws... And if they need more busy work, perhaps they should get a real job.
I don't really know, to be honest. If we spayed and neutered all our pets, maybe there wouldn't be more dogs. I agree, yes, that every single dog owner must watch out for their bitches... However, what about responsible breeders?
Should we be neutered ? Why not ? Because the same reason normal dogs shouldn't. A castrate isn't a normal person. A dog either. Of course you can provide for substitution hormones, but it isn't only a matter of sexual hormones, but neurotransmitters and immunological system. Mental behavior otherwise is not that of a dog which can empatyze with people. That mentioned before is against the concept of better health, but only better health based on that of killing the dog killing the rabies. What about the natural dog brain ? Were they castrate in the process of domestication ? my opinion is that one can't cope with an entire animal, better purchase a doll.
What an awful idea! Does everyone really want to live in such a socialistic country where everything, including the spaying/neutering of PETS is a law??? I think many "animal lovers" forget that laws only apply to those who follow them and they also do not realize mandatory spay/neuter will not fix animal overpopulation and abandonment. And like someone pointed out before - where will all our wonderful "non-purebred" pets come from? My family has four dogs, two purebred rat terriers (but remember ratties aren't recognized by AKC) who came from a backyard breeder, one rescue rattie, and one rescue border collie. We can't imagine our lives without these dogs! And even reputable breeders produce unwanted dogs....and not all people who have the money to purchase these "purebred" dogs end up keeping the dogs or even giving them good homes. Just face it -there will still be unwanted animals and animal overpopulation regardless of what laws we implement!
By Law?? It means that spaying/neutering would be MANDATORY!!
What about the so called "land of freedom"???
Please do not set an example!
Remember what the 'Prohibition' resulted....
I feel very sorry for all of you, North Americans:((
Neutering by law???
Reminds me of a guy from Austria who was fan of neutering and spaying (jews, at that time). He also hated cigarettes, but never regulated anything against the Tabacco campanies).
As a matter of fact, he hated freedom.
As far as I can recall, the free world had to fight him, World War II.
But, if you are stupid enough to defend him, spay / neuter your pets, as you wish!
But DO NOT ATTEMP TO SPAY ME NOR MY PET!!!!
Marilia
BRAZIL
I have always been and still am a huge proponent of spay/neuter but I vote no. First because I think the government interferes with our lives too much already. Second because the cost of spay/neuter has sky-rocketed, here in CT anyway. I'm a dog groomer and I have many clients who want to neuter their pets but simply can't afford to do so. If they were forced to, they would have to give them up. I, for one, have room and time for more pets but simply can't afford the high cost of veterinary care. I had a little 15 lb shih tzu mix dropped off in my yard and the vet's wanted $400 - $500 to neuter him!! That's ridiculous! Who has that kind of money in this economy? Especially for such a simple procedure. I did manage to get the procedure done with the help of a local rescue group that I help out a lot. But many people who love their pets enough to get them groomed,etc simply can't come up with more than $500 to get them neutured. (the price goes up by size) If you want to pass a law, then force these high cost vets to offer low cost neuturing!!
so who should decide which pets are worthy, some panel of purebred conformists I have a mutt that they are currently trying to turn into a breed of her own because there are so many of them now..this law would mean no more new breeds. We should also look at the financial aspects of the whole thing, once car insurance became mandatory the price didn't go down it went up because they know people can't legally go without it..As far as the comments of limiting human breeding they already do that in some states, my girlfriends daughter had two children with learning defects so the court ordered her tubes tied. I believe that it should not be a law as the price could very well take a leap and those people that love their purebreds so much don't seem to realize that at one time those "quality" animals were also mutts.. and don't pick on the hairless cats and dogs that is a prospect for people with allergies to enjoy the love and devotion we all love as pet owners I have 3 dogs and only one of them is purebred and I wouldn't dream of putting my shitzhu in a contest or on a lead where he couldn't have fun I'm in alaska and he loves the outdoors which I don't see many showdogs digging or burrowing like they were intended to.
Mandating surgical sterilization of domestic animals is
a precursor to mandating surgical sterilization of groups
of humans. The same is true of microchips, as we are
now seeing. The fact that the H$U$ and it's sister organization,
PETA, have managed through their purposely ill named
"Animal Rights" movement to ingrain within our society the
completely insane determination that a surgically sterilized dog
or cat is actually "healthier" than a naturally intact animal is
nothing short of horrifying. Domestic animal extermination is
an openly stated goal of the founders and leaders of this
movement. Behaving so as to entice the majority to view them
as "absurd" and "unthreateningly extreme" has proven to
be a powerful tool in their advancement toward overtaking
an oblivious society. Without the incredible amount of power
they have managed to amass, we would not now be honestly
considering such a horrifying proposal.
I personally think that the whole darn bunch of you that feel you have the right to mandate spaying and neutering of cats and dogs should be forced to be spayed and neutered also. It's major surgery for God's sake! Present statistics show that somewhere between 70 and 80% of all dogs and cats are spayed/neutered already. If you adopt the H$U$ mantra of "one generation and out" there will not be any animals in the next 10 or 15 years. There are many medical reasons-upheld by some pretty darn good research-that early spay/neuter is not as healthy as once was thought. I've got 4 dogs...an almost 12 year old that had 3 litters and was spayed at age 7, a 6 year old that was spayed because of a seizure disorder (killed me to do it as she is gorgeous), and 2 show dogs that are intatct. I also had a male that had sired 5 litters (I know where each and every one of those puppies are) who was spayed at the age of 11. What you all seem to not realize is it's NOT the breeder that's turning these animals into shelters, it'S PEOPLE. Am I saying there are no bad breeders out there? Absolutely not. One other thing you need to think on, if there is such a huge pet overpopulation why are they importing dogs from countries like Taiwan, China, Mexico, Puerto Rico? The AR crap running around the net is a big batch of bahooey...But, if I had my way, I'd pass a lwa to get them all spayed and neutered. We wouldn't have to deal with another generation of stupid people like them.
ALL I CAN SAY IS SPAY/NEUTER THE POLITICIANS BEHIND THE MSN BILLS. SPAY/NEUTER PETA & HSUS FANATICS AND THE VETS THAT ARE BACKING THE MSN LAWS-I HOPE YOU CAN PAY THOSE VET SCHOOL LOANS OFF FLIPPING BURGERS AT BURGER KING AS YOU ARE SLITTING YOUR OWN THROATS WHEN THERE ARE NO ANIMALS TO TREAT. DOES EVERYONE BACKING THESE LAWS REALIZE PETA OPERATES ZERO-NADA-NO SHELTERS OR ANY FACILITIES TO SAVE DOGS AND REHOME THEM??? PETA HAS A 98 OR 99% KILL RATE?? SO EVERYTIME SOMEONE MAKES A DONATION TO THESE GROUPS THEY ARE ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTING TO THE KILLING OF ANIMALS?? DON'T BELIEVE ME?? DO SOME RESEARCH-SEE HOW MANY FACILITIES THEY OPERATE. ALL THEY OPERATE IS THEIR MOUTHS AND HAVE THE MONEY TO BACK IT UP BECAUSE OF INNOCENT PEOPLE CONTRIBUTING TO THEM THINKING THEY ARE HELPING ANIMALS. THE KEY TO THIS IS EDUCATION AND SPAY/NEUTER CLINICS THAT OFFER THE PROCEDURE AT REDUCED COSTS TO THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT DONE AT THEIR VETS OFFICE. WHEN YOU WALK IN A SHELTER OR POUND DO YOU SEE ALOT OF PEDIGREE DOGS?? NOT AS A GENERAL RULE-SOMETIMES BUT MOST OF THE TIME THEY ARE MIXED BREEDS-NOW MIXED BREEDS DESERVE HOMES ALSO, DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO SETTLE FOR A MIXED BREED IF I WANT A PEDIGREED DOG? MSN LAWS WILL HAVE LITTLE IMPACT ON THE PROBLEM BECAUSE ANIMAL CONTROL IN MOST AREAS CAN'T EVEN TAKE CARE OF WHAT THEY ALREADY HAVE TO DO. THE DOG POUND IN OUR AREA TURNS AWAY DOGS EVERYDAY BECAUSE THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE THE ROOM FOR THEM SO YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TIME TO GO DOOR TO DOOR AND CHECK ON DOGS WHO AREN'T ALTERED??? MOST MSN LAWS SO FAR HAVE PROVED TO BE DISMAL FAILURES AND COST MORE TO THE CITIES/COUNTIES/STATES BUDGET IN THE LONG RUN THAN WHAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE OPERATING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO VENT.
I think that people should have to obtain a license to breed and have to meet certain criteria (take classes, etc) because there are too many incompetent individuals breeding dogs who do so with a lack of concern for the animals. They do it to make money and breed dogs with poor traits and I feel it should be regulated. Also, I think that animal control should be able to look in on breeders to make sure home conditions are sanitary and proper- which would help minimize or eliminate puppy mills. I think there are a lot of good breeders out there but there are also a lot of horrible ones that need to be shut down. I get annoyed looking at the reasons people give away dogs to the humane society or craigslist because they bought a pup on a whim and when it outgrows the "cute puppy" stage and becomes a "dog"- they no longer want them. I think a lot of laws should be in place about pet breeding and ownership. Abuse and neglect is all too common- and looking at the small punishments given to people for it- it is also tolerated.
I THINK A REALY DA CAME UP WITH THIS. I TAKE IN PETS THAT PEOPLE CAN NOLONGER KEEP AND HAVETHEM FIXED AND UTD ON SOTS AND I STILL DONT THINK SHOULD BE A LAW WE HAV FREEDOM HER AND THIS IS JUST PEOPLE LOOKING TO DO AWAY WITH PETIN ALL. NOW IF SOME ONE HAD A DOG THATS FEMALE AND A DOGTH WS FEMALE AND HAD PUPS ALL THE TIME THEN I COULD SEE THAT AND EVEN IF YOU HAVE MIXED DOG I WOULD SAY YES. THAT WAY YOU OLNY HAVE FULL BREEED,PETS
Do you people honestly believe that a law requiring all cats and dogs to be neutered would result in NO cats and dogs after a time? Come on--this is ridiculous!!!! There are so many strays, so many unwanted pets that are dumped--these alone will reproduce at a rapid enough rate to still overwhelm all the shelters in the country. There are millions of dogs and cats euthanised in shelters every year, let alone those we do not know of who are killed in other ways. Besides, there are so many irresponsible owners who would, unfortunately, never comply with such a law.
I do think there could be an exception for registered breeders, even for those who are not breeding purebreds.
I also believe that this type of a law should include a low fee or no fee for those who cannot afford the cost. There should be easy access to facilites to have this done, such as mobile clinics like those used for blood drives. The costs saved by communities not having to maintain so many shelters could be used for spaying and neutering. Perhaps veterinarians could donate a few hours of their time once a month.
(Response to the trainer who claims that altering an animal changes their disposition and that bitches become more aggressive: I sure would not want you for my trainer. I have known and worked with many trainers, all of whom say just the opposite. Maybe you need to return to dog-training school for some additional education. Besides, having dogs and cats altered can avoid many medical problems as they grow older.)
For those of you who would NOT support such a law, go work in a shelter and YOU be the one to do the euthansing. How can you nix the idea of such a law and then look into the eyes of these poor guys as you kill them?
If this laws goes into effect and is MANDATORY for ALL pets, soon there will be no more pets. How very sad for future generations.
I agree with Shan and Leiha (probably others too--didn't read all the posts). There are shelters that don't have enough animals to adopt, so stats about that perpetuated by the animal rights fanatics, who by the way want no one to have any pets at all, are false. If you want to have the right to have pets, folks are going to have to start opposing this "feel good" detrimental legislation that is spreading across the country like a disease. By all means--be smart and get your pets from people who do health testing, or support your local animal shelter. PETA and HSUS operate NO shelters--none of their millions go to helping animals. Someone posted on "mutants" like hairless cats--those are much loved and appreciated by people with allergies. I'm a dog person myself but I'd never be so arrogant or controlling as to say someone with allergies didn't somehow have the right to own one of those cats if that's what they wanted to make their lives better. I've seen people who were horribly traumatized as children primarily survive that by having an animal to love. How dare anyone say no one has the right to have pets to love.
Yes, I fell unless you are a reputable/responsible breeder why wouldn't you want to spay/neuter your pets. Everyone that disagrees need to work/volunteer at a humane that is forced to euthanize because of so many unwanted cats/kittens and dogs/puppies brought to the shelters because of pet owners not being a "responsible pet owner." Believe me is it is not a pretty site!!! So many healthy animals have to pay the price because the owners don't believe in it. What a waste of precious life.!! There is not enough of space at shelters to house the pet overpopulation. Remember the poster that the Humane Society of the United States put out some time ago," pick one and kiss the others goodbye". How true. I volunteer for a humane society and during the summer months (May thru August) it is nothing to take in as many as 250-300 cats/kittens a month. We only have 30 cat cages at our facility. How unfair to the staff that the public finds it easier to dump their litters and sometimes the mother of the litter with them at a humane society, complaining that their pet got pregnant with a litter and they don't want her anymore, so they bring her and the litter to the shelter, but they keep one of the litter, and the cycle starts all over again. Yes, based on what I see at our shelter, unless you are a reputable/responsible breeder, pets should be spayed or neutered. That is a requirement when adopting from our facility.
I think that it should be a law that all dogs and cats should be neutered.
HOWEVER...
I think that some animal breeders should be able to apply for a license to breed animals, and even then, only a limited amount of licenses can be handed out to an area.
Help control the pet population! Have your pet Spayed or neutered!!
I do believe that dogs who are show dogs or for breeding purpose should be exempt. However, they should have to apply for a license. I am not an extreme animal activist by any means but....I think as pet owners we need to be responsible. Four million dogs and cats (this is about one every eight seconds) are put down in U.S.A each year. This is disgusting. We as Americans should be ashamed! So before we go saying "NO" to Spay/neuter laws please know that only by spaying and neutering ALL companion pets can we control and put an end to this shameful problem.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”
Mahatma Gandhi
Find out who your state representatives are. Write them about the need of a Spay and neuter law!
This should NOT be a law! We live in a free country...and I would like to keep it that way! Yes you need to be responsible w/ your pets, but you should not be forced to alter them!
California is facing such a dilemma. As SB250 is going to the senate apropriations committee. It will effectivly require the spaying and neutering of all dogs and cats by 6 months of age with the only exceptions being police and medical Service Dogs and dogs or cats that are activlely participating in breed shows of only allowed breed registries. This makes no provisions for Rare breeds that are not recognised by the "approved" animal registries. This bill is being pushed through by PETA and backed by Bob Barker. While I commend his spay neuter message I vehemiently disapprove of such legislation which will make it difficult or almost impossible for us as pet lovers to obtain pets in the next 5-10 years as there will be none left in this state once the existing animals die, unless you want to pay ridiculous fees to "approved" breeders or have your pet shipped from out of state or out of the country. Too many puppies and kittens are bring brought into the country anyway, stop them instead of stopping responsible breeding. Encourage spay neuter at local shelters or require health testing of registered animals before breeding permits are issued seems like a more responsible way to go about things.
There should not be a law. I am a hunter and if my lab is a great dog, and does well in the field or hunt tests, I can choose to breed him to a carefully picked female with similar qualities. Beyond just this though, I have seen what happens in other fields when the government gets involved it costs untold millions/billions of dolars and the results are normally lacking. I guess I think education and responsible breeders need to drive this issue.