Attn. Californians

[missyscove]

http://www.cahealthypets.com/

The California Healthy Pets Act (AB 1634) would require the spaying andneutering of most cats and dogs by the time the pet is four months old.It is authored and was introduced by Assemblymember Lloyd Levine.

Pet owners who have not spayed or neutered their pet would be cited andgiven time to spay or neuter their pets before a fine would be assessed.

Local animal control agencies would be responsible for enforcing theCalifornia Healthy Pets Act. A portion of the fines collected would beused to expand the availability of free or low-cost spay or neuterprograms and other outreach efforts.

The California Healthy Pets Act exempts:

• Purebred dogs and cats whose owners obtain a permit
• Dogs who work as guide dogs, service dogs, or signal dogs
• Dogs who are used by law enforcement agencies for law enforcement or rescue activities
• Dogs and cats whose veterinarian determines that due to age, poorhealth, or illness it is unsafe to spay or neuter them

I thought this was interesting. You can write in to show yoursupport. I can certainly imagine the positive impact thatthis would have on decreasing the numbers of stray animals.Now... if we could only do this for the rabbits too, not that we havemany stray rabbits here. There is certainly a stray dog/catproblem.

 

[Starina]

I just don't understand how they would enforcethis. I think it is great. I have had a dog that we had an unexpectedpregnancy. Our husky, Snowball, had a litter. A beautiful black huskyjumped our 8 foot tall dog run. They were so beautiful half were normalhusky colored, and the other half were black like the daddy. We got herfixed after her puppies were rehomed.

I do think that it would truely be great for cats. There are way toomany stray kitties out there. My aunt takes in the strays in herhometown, Homer, AK. You can check her stories out athttp://my.lisaviolet.com/laura/

~Star~

 

[binkies]

I don't live in CA, but think it would be a wonderful thing to do. A lot of people would not be very happy about it though!

My sister in law adopted a cat at 6 weeks old. And she is now 8 monthsold and expecting a litter. UGH! She said, "I didn't have the money toget her fixed and I couldn't stand her in the house". Well now lets seeSherlock! You have had exactly HOW many days to save the stupid $30 tohave her fixed? She knew it was a female, she knew it was going to stayoutside, she knew it would go into heat.....

 

[missyscove]

I'm not all that sure how they'll enforce iteither. They do, however, offer low cost spay/neuter vouchersfor low income families. Also, the dog license fee is $100for unaltered dogs, and only $15 for altered dogs.

I know alot of people will be upset, especially with the 4 monththing. It's amazing how many people will say, "he/she can'tbe spayed/neutered, they're only x months old" Well, the citymandates that any released dog or cat over 2 lbs and 2 months bealtered. And they don't adopt out animals that are under 2months old.

 

[Aina]

I think some people dpn't like it because theywant to wait until their male dog is a year old so that he will befully mature or something like that. But aside fromthat I think it is a good idea.

 

[Krissa]

I did a lot of research about when my puppy should get all her medical stuff, shots etc.

I have read some studies showing that female dogs are more likely todevelop incontinence if they are spayed before 3 months (my parent'sdog is a prime example at 14 years old and diagnosed withincontinence due to spaying).

Another problem is that the sex hormones in dogs (and humans) work withthe growth hormones to close the growth plates at puberty. If fixedbefore puberty, the bones will continue to grow. Sex hormones are alsoused in achieving peak bone density. This causes problems in veryathletic dogs and increases the risk for hip dysplasia.

I also remember reading about increased fearful behavior found in dogsspayed at a very early age, and increased aggression in males. Therealso was in increase in adverse reactions to medications in early fixedanimals.

Unfortunately I don't have access to these articles anymore (graduationfrom college), but I think there needs to be more research done beforea mandatory early spay/neuter. There were also studies that did notfind these problems - so I think that science is still unsure of thepossible problems. I would hate for a problem to crop up after allthose pets already had it done.

Spay/neutering is important to keep down the population of pets, andall my animals are fixed (except the puppy- appointment in June)- but Ialso think there does not need to be government involvement into theissue. I hate when the government messes with our freedoms, even if itis for a good cause.

 

[CookieNCream]

I don't want this to happen. :*(

I know it's bad, but I still don't want it to happen.

 

[maherwoman]

The ONLY thing I don't agree with is the "byfour months of age" concept. There are so many animals thatjust aren't mature physically by four months of age...it's not worthit. I mean, my boy Hobbes was VERY physically mature by fourmonths, but my girl Sunny was definitely NOT ready to be spayed at thatage.

Just a thought...

 

[missyscove]

Of course, it does say

Dogs and cats whose veterinarian determines that due to age, poor health, or illness it is unsafe to spay or neuter them

So, I guess if the vet said they were too young, they could postpone it.