Why we are Boycotting Petland and hope you will, too

You may know purebred dogs are sold at auction. You may not know these dogs are bred as though they are livestock, a cash crop, except livestock are treated better than the dogs. Commercial dogs are sold through pet stores to homes who expect them to live long lives as companion pets. Instead, many commercially bred dogs turn out to be genetic nightmares. Puppy mills are commercial breeders, in business to make a profit. Many are USDA licensed. Pet store puppies come from puppy mills and the cottage industry.

The “cottage industry” breeds dogs for brokers. These are the “local breeders” Petland refers to when asked where they get their dogs. They whelp litters, then give them to USDA licensed breeders who consign them to auction or send them to pet stores including Petland. Names you will see on registration papers from “commercial breeders” owned by Hunte Corporation (one of Petland’s primary suppliers and the largest puppy mill in the U.S.) are:

HONEY DEW/ I LOVE MY PUPPY/ DOBOTRI/BEST FRIENDS. They are ALL “commercial breeders” for THE HUNTE CORP or H & H Pets of Elkland, MO

You may also be surprised to learn that Petland has a history of “partnering” with local animal shelters through Petland’s in-store ‘Adopt a Pet’ program. This gives just enough reputability to satisfy the animal welfare activists who don’t see the big picture. Others, including the Spay Austin Coalition, remain outraged at the perpetual cycle of abuse, neglect, and infusion of intact animals into the community.

“Here’s a national pet store that has a reputation for not doing what’s right for the animals that threw out a bone and the Town Lake Animal Center bit,” said Julia Hilder, President of the Spay Austin Coalition. “We urge a complete boycott of Petland until they make a positive impact in the community by spaying and neutering the animals they sell. Until then, they will only add to the problem by selling animals to anyone with a credit card who thinks their new, expensive Petland animal should have puppies or kittens.”

Now, after years of refusing requests from individuals and animal rescue groups offering to transport and showcase animals at PetsMart and PetCo, the Town Lake Animal Center has decided to partner with Petland.

The Spay Austin Coalition strongly opposes this partnership, believing it will not benefit animals in the long term. Petland and their puppy and kitten mill suppliers will continue to profit while intact animals, many with congenital defects, will flood into Austin.

Other cities have faced the same problem Austin faces now with the opening of a new Petland in their community.

Columbus, Ohio

Financial impact of Petland stores on Franklin County (statistics provided by the Director of Franklin County Animal Shelter, Lisa Wahoff, in November, 2006):

7-10 Petland dogs per day are admitted to the shelter. 80% of those dogs are:

• not spayed/neutered
• are in very poor health and/or mental state
• have no microchip registered to anyone other than the broker, and no owner can be tracked. Petland takes no responsibility.
• are not an appropriate match to the owner, resulting in owner release within one year of the purchase.

The Results?

A low-end average of $30 per day for each Petland dog (if the dog is healthy) X 7-10 dogs = $210-$300 per day!

McHenry County, Illinois:

McHenry County Animal Control staff have spoken with representatives at the Crystal Lake Petland about hanging a bulletin board featuring photographs of adoptable animals inside the store. Animal advocates who work at nonprofit shelters in the county are strongly opposed because they say Petland buys its animals from disreputable sources and sells them to people who are not sufficiently screened.

Winnebago County, Illinois:

Petland directly contributes to the homeless pet crisis and the overflow of animal at Winnebago County Animal Services.

Athens, Ohio:

What Petland doesn’t tell you and doesn’t want you to know speaks volumes and includes the following:

• Petland says, “Puppies are checked by at least two veterinarians before being offered to customers.” What Petland doesn’t disclose is what the veterinarian checks, and this is not the same as a written health guarantee. Many congenital problems are not apparent before the dog is 2 years old, so there may be nothing for the veterinarian to find.

• Petland is being boycotted nationally by In Defense of Animals and the American Dog Owners Association for its sale of puppies and kittens. According to Petland, “Our registerable puppies come from professional and hobby breeders as well as licensed professional pet distributors.”
• What Petland doesn’t want you to know is that no reputable breeder would ever consider selling an animal to a pet store. The term “pet distributor” is a euphemism for a puppy or kitten mill. In fact, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that more than 90 percent of all pet store animals originate from puppy or kitten mills.

In recent years, following some high-profile investigations by national news organizations, the terms “puppy mill” and “kitten mill” have become increasingly recognizable. Gut-wrenching scenes of malnourishment, filth, overcrowding and inadequate medical care are common to these factories, whose sole purpose is to maximize profits from mass-produced, tailor-made animals. Mothers are forced to breed every heat cycle, which for dogs usually makes for a life span of about five years. After five to eight weeks, her puppies are sold to brokers who pack them into crates to be sold (or killed, should they outgrow their cuteness and marketability) in pet stores all over the country. Many of the dogs back at the puppy factory watch silently as they are often “de-barked” by a steel rod, which is shoved down their throats to rupture their vocal cords.

Each time a customer enters a Petland store and thinks he or she is saving the life of a poor puppy or kitten in a cage, that customer has unintentionally condemned another animal to a cruel existence of mass production.

• * Petland labels its “merchandise” as “AKC registerable.” What they don’t tell you is that this is no guarantee of a purebred animal. These papers simply record what the breeder has told the AKC. By the AKC’s own admission, the club’s seal has never been intended as a guarantee of the animal’s health and quality of upbringing. Many puppy mills have been suspended from AKC registration, so they resort to using labels such as Canadian Kennel Club, America’s Pet Registry, and American Canine Association.
• Since most of Petland’s puppies are from puppy mills, they are ineligible for AKC registration. APRI (America’s Pet Registry) is usually the the registry of choice.

For those determined to seek a purebred dog, the HSUS reports that approximately 25 percent of dogs in rescue shelters are purebred animals.

From a former Petland employee Jan 27, 2008:

(excerpted, not edited)

Iapplied and was hired at Petland, and after only one day on the job, I wouldnt go back for a million dollars. Okay folks, lemme fill ya in on my first day of training and how petland trains its employees and how to treat the customer.

You either make min. wage or commission, which ever is higher. Most of the dogs there sell for 2,500 or higher so you can make a easy 500 bucks in one day of sales. well when it came to the guy and owner who were supposed to train me, lets just say they were to busy selling dogs then to train me. Everytime theyd start to tell me a policy they would rush over to someone looking at pups. they wouldnt rather no miss a commission then do their jobs training a new employee. first off the owner lauren tells me that, my main goal is to sell a puppy and to make money, this is a commission job.Its not like “hey guys lets find these puppies homes”, nope its like “move them out at any cost”.

Now about kittens. it seems that people off the street come in with litters of kittens and surreneder them to petland. petland makes a copy or their current drivers license and then keeps the plain off the street joe anybodies kittens and sells them for up to 150 bucks a pop. I have cats and my cats all came from friends or shelters. I couldnt in good faith sell someone a plain ol cat for 150 bucks when i know they can go to a shelter and give one a home or get one for free just about anywhere.theres are not breeds of cats, these are off the street kittens being sold for that price.

When I actually did quit, after one day they were even ruder to me. They asked me why I was quitting, and i told them that i had to much of a conscious to work there. I told them i couldnt stand there and watch person after person stick their hands into cages where i knew they would be hurt and bitten. the owner just said well “if the customer gets bit, they are stupid”.Can you believe that??? Its not like their animals might bite, their petter WILL bite.The owner told me “well we figured you wouldnt have lasted”…Ive never been more happy about quitting a job, Id of felt like a sell out and a horrible person to have kept working there. I actually like people, theres no way I could work at a place who has no concern for its customers. Petland doesnt care about its pets, customers or employees.

One last thing I thought about the night before I quit was about their puppies health. Now Ive had tons of puppies in my life time but something they said about their dogs struck me as odd. When you buy a puppy, they give you Hypoglycemia med for the puppy and tell the new puppy parent to limit play for the first four days. The owner told me that after the puppies are taken home, their new owners might play to much with them making the puppy go hypoglycemic from loosing to much blood sugar and then crash and go into shock and maybe death. Now all of the puppies Ive owned over my life time have never crashed and killed over after playing to much. A normal health puppy will simply stop playing and go to sleep when its played to much, not go into shock. maybe their puppies arent as healthy as they say.

Ive got a friend who has a chipmonk from the store and it was a bitter when he got it, and it still is. Their small critters are treated so badly that they will never make good pets and its not even their fault. these poor animals are allowed to be stressed poked and prodded by teens and jerks cus petland doesnt care enough to protect them. Ive had gueina pigs for nearly 25 years and ive never seen pig pigs as agressive as petlands. I couldnt even get my hand in the cage long enough to give water to or pet the *** pigs.

I just want people to know that petland isnt worth your time because they dont consider you worth theirs. Do you wanna visit a store that considers you “F.O.S- FULL OF ***”?

From a former Petland Asst.Manager:

(excerpted, not edited)

I used to be an Assistant Manager for Petland, for 3 years…. That was WAY before I knew what was going on with the “brokers” and puppy mills. Hell My first dog was from there, and she was “AKC” registered.

Here is how her pedigree went… The same male on her Sires side,was her father, her grandfather, her uncle, and that SAME male was on her DAMS side as her grandfather, and great-grandfather. I spent 5800 dollars on her in 5 years, JUST on MEDICAL PROBLEMS. Althoough, she was the best dog I ever owned, the suffering she had to go through was horrible. i finally had to have her put down. Mercedes (her name) was a good dog that fought until the very end.

Puppy choosing at Petland:

• A list of different breeds are faxed to the seperate stores telling us which ones are available, and for how much. SO depending on which breeds are “hot” right now (remember the 101 dalmation thing?) we would choose those first. Then smaller dogs, like min-pins, shitzu, poms, poodle and poomixes, and all the same things that you see on t.v. Like Goldens, labs and My baby (RIP) Huskies. I only saw 2 GSDs (German Shepard) come thru in the 3 year span, Show line, poor quality at that, Severe underbites, cow hocked, HD, soft ears and what not…
• Then we fax it back to Best Friends Broker in MO. (the #1 state for puppy mills BTW)
• They would then pack up those pups (6-7 weeks old) and ship then in a cargo truck, and to our back door.
• I or the Manager would then go back, and look at each pup, if they wernt “cute” enough they went back… To who knows what kind of fate..
• We then brush, spray and stick em in the window, to fast for 24 hrs…
• The dogs were priced by how much we paid, + cuteness, champions in pedigree, and how “hot” that breed was at the time.

So I will tell you how it worked for my Sibe. The store paid 250 for her. She was black/white with BLUE eyes, small, and very quiet. VERY CUTE!! we automatically multiplied the cost by 2.5, and then added on 175 just because… grand total $800.00 for a heavily inbred dog…

MOST of the dogs, have URI, watery stools, coughs, it was so sad. Mercedes was so sick, and would only eat for me, so I sucked it up and bought her for 350. She had an auto immune problem where she was rejecting her teeth, bladder and bowls… SO CHRONIC poops, peeing, and barfing because I had to have so many of her teeth pulled she swallowed her food whole… close to 6000dollars later, and 5 years I helped her stop suffering…

Petland is a SICK place that needs to be stopped, I am SO ashamed at working there I dont even add it into my work history…

From ripoffreport.com; a Georgetown Petland customer:

Like everybody else with an aggressive dog they were assured didn’t come from a puppy mill, add our name to the list. Petland Georgetown (listed as Petland Austin on Petland’s site) got us good. When asked directly ‘Did the puppy come from a puppy mill’ they looked at us straight in the eye and said ‘Absolutely not! We don’t do that here’. They sure do. Our very expensive, over-aggressive, unsocialized puppy came from a puppy mill in .. wait for it .. Iowa! Oh the education we’ve since gotten. We even tried to get the BBB to help. I didn’t know they were funny. We’ve started a website http://www.puppymillssuck.com and intend to keep adding to it. The HQ never responded to us. Nobody at Petland Georgetown ever signed a name to any correspondence and we’ve had health issues, aggression issues, etc. They lie they lie they lie!

Rene
Austin, Texas U.S.A.

Another Georgetown Petland customer

They sold us a puppy that within 24 hours of bringing him home, he was so sick that he could not even hold his head up and was starting to have seizures. So sick in fact that he needed around the clock medical care! Guess what? Their contracted Vet happened to stay open only during the daytime. But he referred us to another clinic that was open during the night.

For 4 days & 3 nights we brought him back & forth between clinics thinking that the owners of the pet store would be honest and pay all the Vet bills. Was we surprised to discover that they were only taking care of their Vet. When we tried to call and talk to them about it they never seemed to be in. We also found out that our puppy was also shipped from Iowa.

I sent in a complaint to the bbb and saw that there had been 9 other complaints besides mine in the last 36 months. I will never again walk into a petland store, ever!

Billy
Liberty Hill, Texas
U.S.A.

I bought a puppy from Petland in Georgetown. No one mentioned that the puppies they are selling are sick.

2 days after I brought my puppy home we rushed him to the vet where he was diagnosed with a severe upper respitory infection. After 6 days of breathing treatments given 3 times per day and 2 rounds of antibiotics we finally go him feeling better All this in a 2 week time frame.

I specifically asked the Manager about where the puppies come from and he looked me right in the face and told me they do not buy from puppy mills. After researching the breeder where my puppy came from it is indeed a puppy mill in Kansas.

How these people sleep at night knowing they lie to people everyday and let people be surprised when their new puppies becomes really sick after they get them home is beyond my comprehension.

There are lots of web sites with stories of peoples experiences with the same Petland. All of them very similar to mine. They also have over 200 complaints with the Better Business Bueuro.

Kelly
Round Rock, Texas U.S.A.

Adopt, Don’t Shop

Inaugural Austin Petland protest wad held on March 15, 2008 2 weeks before the store opened to get the word out. Picketing began every Saturday on March 29, 2008 and will continue until Petland stops selling puppies from puppy mills.

By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Network

Animal advocates from Austin and surrounding communities staged a peaceful protest at the soon to open Petland store. Picketers held signs and waved to the passing traffic in an effort to promote the adoption of homeless animals, rather than purchasing them from retail establishments. Based on the number of honks, thumbs up gestures, and waves back, many of the commuters agreed. The chant, “adopt, don’t shop” was heard repeatedly to convince the passers-by to boycott the store and instead support shelters and rescue organizations.

The Petland store in Austin is scheduled to open on Saturday, March 29 and the local animal rescue community is galvanized. Unlike PetSmart and Petco, which do not sell puppies or kittens and instead allow shelter and rescue organizations to adopt their animals at their stores, Petland sells unaltered puppies and kittens directly to the public. To make this travesty even worse, it has been documented that Petland obtains animals from puppy mills; horrific places where animals are bred like livestock to produce litter after litter, solely for profit. Such breeding facilities rarely provide for their animals medically or socially, and when the dogs can no longer produce, they are discarded. Puppies are often sold while they are small and cute, prior to the proper weaning time, making them more susceptible to disease and lacking proper social skills. If not initially sold at the young puppy stage, they too are abandoned or sold at auction to become breeding stock at another puppy mill. Stores like Petland, that obtain their “products” from puppy mills, sustain this cruel industry.

Though the editors of Dog Fancy magazine included Austin as one of the “Top 10 pet-friendly cities” in the nation in 2007, there is still a huge issue of pet overpopulation. While spay/neuter is the most important factor in decreasing the number of homeless pets, the launch of a store like Petland, will work against what many organizations have been striving to correct for years. The introduction of an entirely new source of unfixed animals will quickly put an additional strain on the already overburdened local rescue groups.

“Today’s protest is just the beginning, because we really do have to show that the animal community can come together and let the public know that Petland is not welcome here,” said Julia Hilder of the Spay Austin Coalition. “We have a big enough problem as it is with all of the rescues that we are taking care of currently. Today was a good indicator that we have some real committed activists who will put the heat on. We’re not going to stop them from coming into Austin, but we definitely want Petland to know that we are watching them.”

One of the day’s protesters was Delwin Goss, who is heavily involved in TNR (trap, neuter, return) and volunteers for the Austin low-cost spay/neuter clinic, EmanciPET. He stated, “Last year we euthanized 380,000 pounds of cats and dogs at Town Lake Animal Center. Over 60% of those cats and dogs were healthy and adoptable. Why would we import more? Why should the taxpayers for the City of Austin subsidize a corporation like Petland?” Goss went on to explain, “Their business model is going to affect every taxpayer in Austin. I did a real rough calculation on it and every taxpayer in Austin spent about $50 last year to manage unwanted cats and dogs. Why should we import more cats and dogs from out of state breeders and puppy mills? It’s just going to add to the taxpayers burden here in Austin, while the few people that own Petland are going to make a living off of costing us money.”

On February 28, 2008, the Austin City Council passed Ordinance # 20080228-057, much in part due to the incoming store. The new legislation requires that “pet traders” pay a $50 animal processing fee for selling unaltered cats and dogs, microchip all cats and dogs when sold, and provide a document signed by a veterinarian licensed in Texas stating the health of the cat or dog. Though the fee will not come close to the price the city pays to maintain animals at the municipal shelter, it will help offset some of the costs for when these animals, or their eventual litters, are dumped or relinquished. In addition, the new ordinance will provide a paper and microchip trail of all animals sold from Petland. It also shows the City’s support of animal rescue and knowledge of the importance of spay/neuter.

“It says a lot that the City Council would pass an ordinance specifically from the city’s reaction to Petland opening here,” said Goss. “It’s a weak ordinance, but it’s something. Just the fact that they did it says that we really don’t want Petland here, but we can’t pass a Petland ordinance. I’m hoping we’ll pass a spay/neuter ordinance that will put stores like Petland out of business.”

San Antonio resident and Lil’ Paws Maltese Rescue volunteer, Shannon Greer, drove up to Austin to participate in Sunday’s protest. This is nothing new to her, as she has been one of the organizers picketing the San Antonio Petland. Her friend Holley Pridmore purchased a toy poodle puppy from San Antonio Petland last year. Riley was sick, when she adopted him and when she brought him to the vet for treatment, it was discovered he had potentially deadly parvo. When Pridmore informed the manager of the store of Riley’s illness, she was told she could exchange the puppy for another dog. Already bonded, that option was unthinkable and though the medical bills were around $1,000, thankfully he survived. Greer says, “When I saw Holley’s tears and her daughter so upset, I just jumped in.”

Greer and Pridmore launched a protest of the store, to educate other consumers, and hopefully prevent them from having to go through the same pain and expense. The news media was contacted and others who had endured similar heartbreak joined the cause. The group started picketing in November and was out in front of the store every Saturday and Sunday the few weeks prior to Christmas. In order to maintain public participation, the group has decided to protest seasonally. They have taken a hiatus, but expect to start up again soon now that the weather is warming up and families begin to consider adding a pet to the family. Greer also maintains the Adopt Don’t Shop website, to expose the truth about Petland in San Antonio and promote shelter and rescue adoptions.

She shared her experience at the Austin protest and feels picketing will be very effective, since the store does not yet have dedicated customers. She says, “In a city with the University of Texas and ‘Austin Weird,’ there is so much that the community stands behind. This is one of those things we should not let fall through the cracks. Austin is a strong community, a proud community, an educated community and (Shannon Greer, courtesy of Julia Hilder) for them to take a step back, that’s not the Austin way!”

Hilder admits that “There are always going to be people who want to buy a purebred puppy or kitten. I would say what they need to do is avoid Petland and instead do their homework. Go through the purebred rescue group that they are interested in. If that rescue can not come up with a rescued animal, then they can at least give them an avenue to go to a breeder in our area and actually visit, ask questions, and meet the parents of the puppy. Do your homework and get recommendations. The fear is that people go to the puppy store and they see a cute little face in the window. They take out the credit card and buy it right away. Then they get home and it’s not the right breed for them or is sick, which are the complaints that happen all the time at Petland. If the animal grows up too big, or is not what they were hoping for, then they dump it at the pound.”

It is now time for the whole community to step up and take a stand against Petland. A second picket is scheduled for 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, March 29, Petland’s opening day. Hilder states, “I would love to see participation from more of our rescue groups and the folks who work closely in animal welfare. We really need to make it a community effort. I would love to see individuals who don’t necessarily have anything to do with animal welfare, who just decide to show up because they’re mad.”

(Protestor spreading the word, courtesy of Julia Hilder)

How to help:
• Join in the next peaceful protest of Austin Petland:
Date: Saturdays
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Where: Southpark Meadows Petland store, 9900 IH 35 (the furthest southern end of Southpark Meadows, located off the service road of I-35 southbound, South of Slaughter Lane, between Chili’s and the Cinemark movie theatre)

Bring a sign and bring a friend. Make a difference with other people who are as passionate about animals as you.

• Do not patronize stores like Petland that sell puppies and kittens; not for an animal, not even for supplies. Instead shop at stores that support animal rescue.

• Contact the Southpark Meadows management company to let them know that Austin does not welcome Petland:
Inland Southwest Management, LLC
2901 Butterfield Road
Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
E-mail: prestinario@inlandgroup.com
Phone: 877-646-5263

• Please sign the online petition to “Say No to Petland in Austin.”

For more information:
• Please contact the Spay Austin Coalition at info@spayaustin.com or call 512-656-6299 for more information about the upcoming protest.
• Dontbuypuppies.com
• See the many Petland customer complaints.
• Puppy Mills and Pet Stores
• What can one person do to help stop puppy mills?

Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Network
Photo credit: photos courtesy of Julia Hilder of the Spay Austin Coalition and by Jennifer Hayes
Lead photo shows Kynama Wald, Shannon Greer, and Delwin Goss, taken by Jennifer Hayes

Pet Shops: No Bargain for Animals

“Pet” shops use the natural appeal of puppies, kittens, and other animals to sell these animals at an inflated price, which is often several hundred dollars—and sometimes more —for “purebred” animals. Common problems in the pet shop industry include selling sick and injured animals to the public, failing to provide proper veterinary care, keeping animals in unsanitary conditions, and using inhumane methods to kill sick and unwanted animals. You can help bring about changes in local pet stores if you know what conditions to look for and what steps to take.

Where the Animals Come From
The vast majority of dogs sold in pet shops are raised in “puppy mills,” breeding kennels located mostly in the Midwest that are notorious for their cramped, crude, and filthy conditions and for their continuous breeding of unhealthy and hard-to-socialize animals.

Birds, rabbits, and mice and other rodents are often mistakenly thought of as “starter pets” and sell very well, so pet shops keep their stores stocked with them. They, too, come from mill-like breeding facilities or from mom-and-pop operations that aren’t even minimally regulated.

Sugar gliders, chinchillas, tarantulas, some bird and reptile species, and others are often called “exotics.” The journey for many of these animals begins in places such as Australia, Africa, and the jungles of Brazil. Closer to home, 20,000 prairie dogs are torn from their homes in Texas every year and shipped to pet stores.⁽¹⁾ The few laws and penalties that exist hardly dissuade dealers when compared to the money that can be made from smuggling: Prices on animals’ heads range from a few bucks for a giant cockroach to tens of thousands of dollars for a hyacinth macaw.^(2,3)

Animals in pet shops are often subject to inadequate care from people who are unprepared or unable to provide for their needs; many of these animals will be abandoned, or they will die from neglect or improper care.

What to Look For in Pet Stores
Healthy young animals are usually energetic and have shiny coats. Look for signs of ill health, such as listlessness, diarrhea, emaciation, dull coats, runny eyes, and dry noses. Sick animals should never be housed with healthy ones. Check the general sanitation conditions; notice signs of cockroach infestation, rodent droppings on the floor, and rusty or dirty cages. Also look for algae or scum in water bottles, empty water containers, or animals having difficulty drinking from them.

Dogs must have water (it can be in a bottle), and there must be some sort of solid flooring (if a tray is used, it must be flat on the floor). There should be no more than one large dog in a single cage. Look for signs of distemper and parvovirus: runny stool and clogged, dry noses.

Cats should have an elevated surface (above the litter area) to rest on. Water must be in a clean water dish rather than in a bottle. Watch for signs of upper respiratory disease: eyes covered with an inner membrane, runny eyes and nose, and sneezing.

Rabbits should have a water bottle, not a dish. They should not be listless. If an animal is sick, you may notice other animals in the cage walking over him or her. Watch for runny noses and excessive sneezing.

Birds must have a properly sized perch (i.e., birds’ feet should go three-quarters of the way around the perch). Check for other birds who might be beating up on one bird—this is especially common in smaller birds (you may see feathers missing from the head, back, etc.). A bird should not be resting on the bottom of the cage, which is a sign of illness or of having been thrown off the perch by others. Cages should not be crowded.

Check fish tanks for crowding. Generally, an inch-long tropical fish requires between 1 and 3 gallons of water, so there shouldn’t be any more than eight or nine inch-long fish in a 10-gallon tank.⁽⁴⁾ Look for dead fish in aquariums.

What You Can Do
You can help animals sold in pet stores in the following ways:

• Encourage pet stores that sell animals not to do so. PETCO recently agreed not to sell large birds (such as cockatoos and macaws), recognizing the inherent cruelty in confining these wild animals and subjecting them to inadequate care.
• Report any sick or injured animal to your local animal control agency or police department immediately.
• Contact PETA about working on legislation to require that animals sold in stores be spayed or neutered.

Lastly, don’t patronize pet stores that sell animals. You can purchase supplies for companion animals from pet supply stores or catalogs that carry full product lines but don’t treat animals as merchandise. And if you’re searching for an animal companion, adopt from a reputable animal shelter or rescue organization.

Resources
1) Jodi Wilgoren, “Monkeypox Casts Light on Rule Gap for Exotic Pets,” The New York Times 10 Jun. 2003.
2) Kevin G. Hall, “Trafficking of Animals Becoming Big Business,” The Virginian-Pilot 16 Aug. 2001: A1.
3) “Feeling Lonely? Snuggle Up to a Pet Cockroach,” China Daily 20 May 2003.
4) “Goldfish Bowl Do’s and Don’ts,” The Washington Post 8 Aug. 2004.

This article was reprinted with permission of HelpingAnimals.com, a division of PETA.

Pet Store Puppies DO Come From Puppy Mills

There is NO doubt about it. Puppies are CUTE! People are suckers for puppies. When someone sees the adorable puppies in the cages at the pet store it IS hard to resist. We’re here to tell you why you should resist.

Many people are actually concerned about where the pups come from and will ask the store clerks if the puppies come from Puppy Mills. The TRAINED salesperson will say something to the effect, “no, our puppies come from private breeders”, or “no, our puppies come from local breeders”, or “no, our puppies come from USDA inspected kennels”. Most people are satisfied with either of those answers.

Well we aren’t!

Many pet shops get their puppies from a middleman…a puppy broker. The puppy broker buys the puppy from the puppy miller and the broker then sells to pet stores. A well known puppy broker is the Hunte Corporation. Maybe pet stores feel that since they didn’t buy the puppy DIRECTLY from the breeder than they can “honestly” say they do not get their puppies from puppy mills.

Also, there is no official definition of puppy mills so they can also avoid answering the question honestly since technically the pups come from Commercial Kennels.

PRIVATE BREEDERS First of all what defines a private breeder? Nothing. If there are private breeders, who are the public breeders? There’s NO such thing! So when that sales kid tells you that the pup is from a private breeder he could be talking about ANY breeder in the country.

LOCAL BREEDERS When a salesperson says they get their pups from local breeders it could either be what they were trained to say or it could mean they actually do get their puppies from local commercial kennels. “Local” doesn’t mean that they aren’t from a puppy mill. Our local pet store has “local” puppies too…straight from the local puppymill!

USDA LICENSED & INSPECTED KENNELS This also doesn’t mean that the pups come from a good place. I have seen dogs from USDA Licensed & Inspected Kennels with rotting mouths, open wounds, skin diseases, and many other health problems. Rabbit cages and hutches are acceptable houses for dogs (according to the USDA!). If the puppy millers do not want to exercise the dogs (meaning the dogs live in a cage 24/7 for their WHOLE lives) all they have to do is double the size of their cage.

Dogs are wonderful, faithful companions. Can you imagine your dog living in a cage where she stands on wire her WHOLE life? Can you imagine her never getting out of the cage to roll around in the grass or play in the snow? Maybe your dog is afraid of thunderstorms. Imagine how she’d feel living in a rabbit hutch with no other protection from the elements. No where to escape from the cracking thunder, pounding rain, and fierce winds.

Could you imagine your dog living 10-16 years (or more) in a cage, never knowing a gentle touch, pumping out litter after litter, not being able to get away from the puppies when she needs a break? Could you imagine her in so much pain from an abcess in her mouth but not being able to get medical care or relief for the pain. Her teeth are rotting away, her bottom jaw doesn’t exist because the bone has rotted away, can you imagine how badly it hurts her to eat?

Could you imagine doing any of that to your dog? NO! Of course not! And why is that? Because it is cruel – that’s why!

USDA Licensed & Inspected kennels get away with that and a lot more and thousands of dogs are suffering. Even if the dogs are cared for medically, their psychological needs are not being met.

Many kennels aren’t even licensed with the USDA, so they don’t have ANY standards to meet. As long as they sell to the puppy buyers themselves, they do not need a license. They advertise in newspapers, online, sell at flea markets, parking lots, etc.

Want a Healthy Pup?

If you don’t care how the puppy’s parents are kept (how could you not?) at least think about the potential health issues your puppy could have. The parents in commercial kennels have not been through appropriate health tests or screenings and you could end up with a puppy who seems healthy but with congenital defects that show up later in life – many of which are extremely costly to you, the puppy buyer. Other people end up with puppies who are sick right off the bat and have to spend hundreds, sometimes even thousands of dollars to make their new puppy well. Sadly, some puppies don’t even make it and it is utterly heartbreaking for their families.

So please, don’t shop at pet stores! Adopt from your local shelter, www.petfinder.com, or find a reputable breeder. If you need more help or advice about finding a reputable breeder, send us a message or visit www.nopuppymills.com.

Look at the Big Picture

Yes, the puppies are cute and you may think you are saving just that one. But as soon as you leave that store, they will be ordering a new puppy to fill that cage….which means you just contributed to and supported this nasty business. As long as the demand is there, there will be the supply. The only way we can help stop this horrid industry is to not buy their puppies and educate others to do the same.

Already Bought a Pet Store Pup?

If you have already purchased a pet store puppy and would like to know more about its origins visit www.petshoppuppies.com for a free puppy report.

Remember Puppy Millers also sell their puppies online and in newspaper ads. Stay away from breeders that breed more than one or two breeds. A reputable breeder would not sell to just anyone online. Some reputable breeders will have websites, but they will want to know a lot about you and the home you will provide for their puppy before even thinking about accepting a deposit. An online pet store that will sell and ship you a puppy, no questions asked is not someone who cares about their pups!

This was written for www.nopuppymills.com and reprinted here to educate and reach more people.

Spay neuter law divides pet lovers in the OC

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Supporters say the mandate for owners to fix cats and dogs is needed to control shelter populations.

By BRIAN JOSEPH

The Orange County Register

SACRAMENTO ? Orange County may be home to an author of the California Healthy Pets Act, but dog and cat lovers here are as bitterly divided over proposal as they are across the state.

The act, formally known as Assembly Bill 1634, would require most dogs and cats in California to be spayed or neutered by the time they’re 4 months old. It was developed largely by Orange County resident Judie Mancuso and Los Angeles Animal Services general manager Ed Boks.

What would it do?

Assembly Bill 1634, also known as the California Healthy Pets Act, requires virtually all dogs and cats in California to be spayed or neutered by the time they’re 4 months old.

Intact permits: Exceptions are made for licensed breeders, purebred show animals, police dogs, service dogs for people with disabilities, or any animal a licensed veterinarian says is unsafe to fix. The cost of such an “intact permit” exempting an animal from being spayed or neutered would be determined by the city or county.

Visitors: Nonresident owners who bring animals into California are not required to buy an intact permit if they can provide proof that their pet is in the state temporarily for a “legitimate reason” ? such as training or showing.

Penalty: Pet owners who violate the law would face a $500 fine. Revenues from this civil penalty would go to enforcement of the law and community outreach.

Enactment: If approved by the Legislature and governor, this law would go into effect April 1, 2008.

Source: AB 1634, Bill analysis by the Assembly Appropriations Committee

A well-organized network of supporters, which includes shelters and veterinarians across the state as well as government officials such as Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters, say the proposal will reduce the number and cost of animals euthanized in California.

Loosely organized opponents, who also include veterinarians and animal rescue volunteers as well as breeder groups, say it’s a draconian mandate that only hurts responsible owners.

“It’s amazing,” says Democratic Assemblyman Lloyd Levine of Van Nuys, who is shepherding the proposal through the state Legislature. “People on both sides of the issue are really rallying and just have really deep held passions.”

Levine and other lawmakers have received thousands of letters from both camps (including letters of support from the band INXS, the wife of Cesar Millan, television’s “Dog Whisperer,” and Hollywood stars Pierce Brosnan and Diane Keaton).

Two separate Web sites, cahealthypets.com and ab1634.com, describe competing views of the bill, which also drew hundreds of people to an Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing on the proposal this month. Anti-AB 1634 buttons are being sported by scores of dog show presenters while Web sites devoted to dog clubs sport messages urging members to fight the bill.

The debate has become so intense, some people are hesitant to say where they live for fear their homes or businesses will become targets.

“I knew it would be big. I didn’t think it would be this big,” said Levine, a veteran lawmaker who carried arguably the Legislature’s biggest bill last year, cable television deregulation.

The Healthy Pets campaign, led by Mancuso, estimates 800,000 dogs and cats end up in taxpayer-funded shelters every year and more than half are euthanized. The cost: an estimated $258.1 million annually.

“If you don’t care about the ethical aspect,” Mancuso said, “care about the money.”

Supporters point to Santa Cruz County, where, according to an Assembly analysis of the bill, the number of sheltered animals decreased 60 percent and the number euthanized deceased 75 percent eight years after the county enacted a similar proposal in 1995.

The bill makes exceptions for licensed breeders, purebred show animals and service dogs used by police or the blind. Pet owners who can demonstrate that they’re breeders or that their pets meet the criteria for show or service animals can purchase so-called “intact permits” to allow their pets to remain unaltered.

The bill also exempts animals that a veterinarian says is too old or sick to fix.

“Nobody is going to be criminalized,” said Orange County resident Sharon Hayhoe, who owns four dogs. “As a Republican, if I thought this bill was punitive, I wouldn’t support it.”

But opponents say it’s heavy handed and ill advised ? and they have a litany of reasons why. They say a $500 fine for not fixing your animal will encourage many owners to relinquish their pets, flooding already crammed shelters. They cite a 37 percent decrease in shelter impounds when California’s population has grown from 20 million to 36 million.

They say a new law won’t make some owners responsible.

“They’re already not licensing their dogs!” said Susan Murphy, a Cypress breeder of bull terriers. “They’re going to hide. They’re not going to spayed or neuter their dogs.”

Opponents also say the law does nothing for feral cats, which they cite as a big driver of euthanasia numbers, and fear its premium on purebreds will lead to the end of mix-breed animals. Many also say it’s developmentally or even physically unsafe to mandate that all animals be fixed at four months old ? veterinarians should make that call.

“When you neuter a dog at four months old, it remains a puppy forever,” said Genny Wall of Laguna Hills, a pet lover who has volunteered extensively with animal rescue groups.

But most of all opponents say the proposal is not fair, that it’s another example of “nanny government” and Sacramento needs to get its nose out of their business.

Mancuso’s response: “This is not a refrigerator. This is not just ‘my property.’”

Levine said the bill will move to the Assembly floor soon.

Contact the writer: 916-449-6046 or bjoseph@ocregister.com

Keep up to date with federal legislation

While not specifically related to spay/neuter, I found a new website to help make sorting through federal legislation easier. OpenCongress.org is a website for political junkies and concerned citizens to find current legislation by issue topic, sponsor, committee, or industry. No more searching through Thomas or individual representative sites with sketchy search results and ambiguous press releases.

• OpenCongress.org main page
• General Animal Issues
• Animal Breeding Issues – no current bills – yet!
• How to Use

Animal sterilization and microchips

I came across the following user comment thread on statesman.com. One of the topics at our last meeting was how to speak more confidently and persuasively about TNR, so I decided to post the entire thread. There is a lot of support in these 63 comments, but it’s more important to understand why some people are not in favor of feral colony management so we can better communicate our message.

One of my first thoughts was that many of the commenters (63 is a very small random sample of the Austin population) in opposition fail to realize that the speutered cats will maintain their territory, not put out the welcome mat to new potential colony mates. Mass euthanization of feral colonies does not eliminate the problem, it only eliminates those particular cats. More will move in to take their place which does not happen when speutered cats defend their territory.

They also don’t seem to realize their tax dollars are already paying for the actions of irresponsible pet owners. If this program had been implemented 20 years ago imagine the potential uses for the taxes that have already been spent to kill unwanted animals. Spay/neuter is a long-term solution to a long standing problem for feral cats as well as family pets.

This is the thread:
Austin American Statesman
Sunday, August 20, 2006, 10:11 PM

Do you support the increased sterilization and microchipping of pets? Would you pay higher taxes for the project?

Comments

By Scout Martinez
September 14, 2006 08:55 AM
I sterlize ALL of my female dogs because I don’t want to have nightmares worrying about what happened to my beloved puppies! Also, THE NEW WORLD ORDER had better stay out of my personal life. They can cause those microchips to explode with those new Microwave weapons the Secretary of the Air Force ws bragging about on the news reently and I don’t want that mess in my dogs and I am NOT going to put them there!

By Keith
August 30, 2006 10:33 PM
with as many strays that are out there today, it has come to the point where sterilization is a necessity – too many people get an animal (breeder or the pound) and they decide later it’s too much of a burden and let it loose…if that animal isn’t spayed/neutered, then it just makes the problem grow, not to mention cruel….plus chipping your animal proves it’s yours, espcially if it slips out and someone finds it without a tag…

By Gayle Borst
August 26, 2006 05:52 PM
Yes, I support the proposals. We humans created this problem by not following through on the responsibity that goes along with domesticating cats and dogs, so we are ethically bound to remedy it.

By Sigmund’s mom
August 24, 2006 11:49 AM
The people I know who trap neuter release also support feral cats. They provide them with food, so they don’t need to hunt. Yes, they still kill some wildlife, but they are not the main cause of harm and destruction of wildlife. That “distinction” must be reserved for another animal—also introduced! As for saving tragically abandoned pets, we are all responsible whether we own pets or not. We live in a civilization that working animals helped create. Yes, I support this program.

By Jean Ann
August 23, 2006 03:00 PM
I take an active roll in saving lives of abused, neglected and unwanted animals. I take them and nurse them back to health. Then comes the Spay/neuder, shots , heartworm testing and prevention , 5 & 7 way shots, food , shelter etc.$$ I do without new clothes and alot of wishfull purchasing in order to fund my rescue.I also pet sit just to supplement my rescue efforts.I would strongly support reasonable plans of action that will assist the non-kill program.Thanks for asking! Jean Ann

By Robert
August 23, 2006 08:56 AM
There is a difference between feral animals and unwanted pets. Spending $30,000 on a feral animal spay and neuter program only to release them back into the wild will not lower the population significantly (there’s a huge difference between the size of a college campus and the size of the county.) Any responsible Parks and Wildlife program would euthenize feral cats, not return them to the wild to kill all the living wild birds and other small native animals they can find.

By Trish
August 22, 2006 02:26 PM
I can’t believe that anyone would callously think that euthanizing animals is the answer. The pet overpopulation problem is huge and THOUSANDS of dogs and cats are euthanized every year at TLAC alone. Humans domesticated dogs and cats to be our companions and now we don’t want to take care of them? I think we need to make sterilization more affordable, we need to pass ordinances to require it, and we need education programs to teach people the importance of spaying and neutering.

By Debra
August 22, 2006 12:27 PM
no,please put the extra animals to rest. We don’t need more taxes. the cost is horrible trying to keep so many problem animals alive. Why pay taxes so people can spend less than $100 to pick up a problem animal. the natural thing in the old days to take extra problem pets and put them to sleep. private shelters of do-gooders are receiving income for their efforts not wanting to part with the animals they so called “saved”.

By Robert
August 22, 2006 09:37 AMr anyone who doesn�t think feral cats should be trapped/neutered/released (Robert)”
The problem is the fact that they are an introduced species, not native. Spaying and Neutering does not solve the problem of them killling off the local wildlife. The ferals should be euthenised, like any other responsible wildlife management program in the nation does (the spay/neuter feral cats programs are typically only done at colleges in cities, because of students not wating “Kitty Cats” killed)

By linda
August 21, 2006 10:28 PM
YES to higher taxes for the benefit of our furry friends, and anything else it takes to help our animals…

By Andrea
August 21, 2006 10:15 PM
I believe Austin can do better by its animals and would happily pay to support a no-kill shelter. Some other ideas: 1) signs on our highways encouraging people to take animals to a shelter rather than dumping them to be cruelly run over and 2) the designation of “safe havens” where animals could be left with no questions asked. If a society can be judged by how it treats its animals, we all have an interest in protecting our animal population, pet owner or not.

By sharla and dan petersen
August 21, 2006 07:19 PM
We would absolutely be willing to pay higher taxes to be used for the sterilizing and microchipping of pets. In addition, we are appalled that the extra money spent by taxpayers to buy a pet friendly license plates is not being given to the appropriate organizations, as per the article in your newspaper. When will the nonsense stop?

By Deb
August 21, 2006 06:56 PM
I have several rescused cats and have sterilized many many others. You want to stop overpopulation stop the sell or give away of all animals in stores/at homes/on the side of road. Get the private Veterinarian community involved in low cost services. Educate the people and go door to door with mobile units for free or reduced services in all neighborhoods. We won’t solve the problem until we get all the animals sterilized.

By Deb
August 21, 2006 06:47 PM
It’s a people problem!!Stop all selling of animals in stores/homes/on the side of the road/and sterilize everything. People who don’t sterilize create feral cats and unwanted animals that are put out or abandon and the growth continues. More needs to be done in the private Veterinary community with low cost services. Mobile units going into all neighborhoods and going door to door for free or reduced services if it stops reproduction.

By Lacy
August 21, 2006 04:54 PM
ABSOLUTELY I would pay higher taxes! The system we have now is obviously not working. Please keep us posted on what more we can do.

By Jan Shrode
August 21, 2006 04:46 PM
For anyone who doesn’t think feral cats should be trapped/neutered/released (Robert) or this this type of program doesn’t work, check out what staff volunteers have been doing for the last 10 years. The Campus Cat Coalition has some excellent statistics for their program. www.ae.utexas.edu/cats

By Jerry Dunham
August 21, 2006 04:11 PM
Yes, I support increased sterilization and microchipping of companion animals and support increasing taxes to pay for it. I also support more resources being applied to education programs to reach those who keep their animals intact because they do not understand the impact to animal populations or because the culture they grew up with taught them that animals should stay intact.

By cynthia
August 21, 2006 03:56 PM
No, catching a bunch of feral cats and fixing them and releasing them is plain stupid. They should be destroyed. They will devour every bird, lizard, frogs and many other beneficial animals in an whole eco system with out regard to anything. If people want to be responsible for an animal that fine but just to release them is crazy. Domestic cats are the number one preditory animal in the world. Feral cats are a pest!!!

By B. E. Williams
August 21, 2006 03:29 PM
Everything possible that can be done, should be done, to increase the awareness of the pet overpopulation in this city (and elsewhere).

By Sue, Denny, & Elizabeth Rausch
August 21, 2006 02:35 PM
100% YES X 3!

By Jenalou Hunsucker
August 21, 2006 02:21 PM
In my opinion this is much more important than a day labor facility.

By carol
August 21, 2006 02:15 PM
Yes, I absolutely support this plan.

By Joe
August 21, 2006 01:43 PM
I think the taxes for these things should be paid by breeders and people who choose to purchase animals. Taxing people who don’t even own pets is wrong. We have enought taxes as it is. Also, people should choose whether or not to chip their pets or animals. Mandatory chipping of any kind is troubling,whether it’s for pets, livestock or….

By Allforit
August 21, 2006 01:42 PM
Let people with kids pay all the school taxes in the world and the animal owners without kids pay theirs. That’s fair. Regardless, I would gladly pay higher taxes for the purpose of saving animals.

By Jeff
August 21, 2006 01:28 PM
Absolutely. And for those selfish folks that say the tax should only be paid by pet owners, I have a proposal for you. I’ll agree with you, and in exchange, I will divert the $6,000 annually I pay in school taxes to RRISD. No kids at my house, and won’t be, and I don’t buy your argument that your decision to have kids benefits our society. At least, any more than an action to help this city KILL less animals. Deal?

By JK
August 21, 2006 01:22 PM
I think Robert has a very valid point. The money spent to sterilize ferals should be spent on adoptable animals and public education. Cats are DOMESTIC animals, they do not belong in the wild.

By Jolly’s, Happy’s, Perky’s, Ringger’s, Baby’s and VeVe’s Mom
August 21, 2006 12:17 PM
Yes, I support the increased sterilization and microchipping of pets. All of my cats have been rescued. Rescued because someone else couldn’t or wouldn’t sterilize and care for them. Animals have no say, but we as caring humans do.

By Robert
August 21, 2006 12:14 PM
One issue with feral cats is that they are introduced animals, and are killing of all the local native wildlife. I support euthenasia of feral cats and dogs, and adoption and microchipping of tame domestic animals, but ferals should not be returned to the wild under any circumstances. I have a feeling that in reality, sterilization will only be performed on a small percentage of the feral population, therefore, any such program is useless unless it is performed on all the animals at once.

By Erin
August 21, 2006 11:56 AM
I adopted a cat from the shelter last year. She was given a microchip and I’m happy she has it. She is 7 yrs. old, spayed, declawed, obviously someone’s kitty at one time…no one knows how she ended up lost, scared, and painfully thin in the shelter. If she and I are separated, the microchip makes sure the shelter can contact me. I’d advise other pet owners to look into registering their pets. The price is worth it, no one wants a beloved pet to simply “vanish.”

By Lucy’s Mom
August 21, 2006 11:45 AM
Not at this time. The funds that people have provided through the animal friendly plates were misdirected. So, I would require financial accountability. Additionally, the problem needs to be addressed at the root causes: 1. irresponsible breeders, 2. irresponsible pet owners and 3. lack of enforcement. Thus, pet ownership education must be incorporated as well as infrastructure for enforcement and certification of responsible breeders.

By Craig D.
August 21, 2006 11:41 AM
Yes, sounds like a great plan to me!!

By George
August 21, 2006 11:34 AM
I would happily pay more taxes to make TLAC a no kill shelter. I don’t see it as just a problem for pet owners. After all I quite happily pay taxes for schools and I don’t have children myself. I know people can argue that those children are our future and one day I’ll need their expertise. But tighter animal control, with more money pumped into educating the public and spay/neutering programs, microchipping etc will surely benefit us all. Less ferals/lost dogs equals less disease and rabies.

By Patricia Keosheyan
August 21, 2006 11:31 AM
In a perfect world all pet owners would do the right thing but unfortunately they don’t. I’ve done shelter volunteer work. $155,000 is nothing compared to the need. Sadly it is all about money. It is criminal that funds are being diverted from the license plate fund while adoptable animals are being euthanized. Donate, volunteer, adopt, foster, do something. It all helps.

By A-M
August 21, 2006 11:10 AM
Yes, ABSOLUTELY! Instead of spending the money I often waste on coffee or fast food, I would gladly spend that in taxes to save more animals’ lives.

By Elizabeth
August 21, 2006 10:22 AM
Yes, I support spay/neuter. Emancipet and like programs should have all the funding they need. And to the folks who work at Emancipet, you are my heroes. You are the best! You should be recognized and compensated for the great job you do.

By Cleva Gandy
August 21, 2006 10:21 AM
Yes we need to do every thing to help the pet population.I think it is every ones problem.Need more one or two days clinics that offer specils for spay and neuter.I have have always had all my pets fixed.They need to charge less to adopt a pet from the shelters.

By Debbie
August 21, 2006 10:15 AM
I support this 100% and would gladly pay higher taxes to help reduce the killing at TLAC. Other commenters have stated this is the responsibility of pet owners, but sadly not all pet owners take proper care of their animals, and it is these animals and their offspring of their animals who pay with their lives! So it is up to all of us as a society to protect the lives and wellbeing of homeless animals.

By Meera
August 21, 2006 10:10 AM
No – no more taxes. What we need is mandatory S/N performed by vets that owners pay for, and a law preventing unnecessary crop/dock surgeries for (ie, where it is not a working/hunting dog that will benefit from surgery). And mandatory microchipping by vets when treating a non-chipped animal.

By Animal Lover
August 21, 2006 10:00 AM
Absolutely Yes! I would almost go as far as saying I would support a law making it mandatory to spay and neuter your pets unless you are a legally licensed breeder. This would also put an end to the mom and pop breeders who sell pets on the side of the road to make a few bucks. Let licensed breeders handle the demand for pedigrees and everyone else can adopt the millions of homeless mixed breeds (spayed/neutered) who have just as much love to give!

By Bill
August 21, 2006 09:41 AM
City/counties must take a stand to stop killing and support adoption..here it cost over $200. to adopt a kitten or pup..living at the end of a city road,I find cats/dogs dumped by people. the city says that is my problem, all they can do is take them to a place that kills them all. an employee told me this was true.. I don’t want all these animals, but I want them to have a life..all I ask is they not be killed.. all help is needed.

By Kelly
August 21, 2006 09:41 AM
Absolutely need to do this for all animals. I just read that San Antonio’s City Animal Shelter kills 40,000 dogs and 10,000 cats every year. That is 50,000 animals euthanized at a City Shelter a year. Austin has a severe animal overpopulation program as well. Anything to help make a difference in creating responsible pet ownership.

By Elaine DiRico
August 21, 2006 09:31 AM
Absolutely! Americans have been horrified by the slaughter of animals in CHina to contain a rabies outbreak. They have killed 500,000 animals to our 5 million animals annually. Not a very strong argument for our compassion….

By Catherine Davis
August 21, 2006 09:26 AM
Absoulutely, I support mandatory microchipping pets. I have also taken it upon myself to resolve the feral cat problem in my small corner (literally) of Allandale and have fixed 33 ferals and released them. I feed approx. 10-12 to visit my carport regularly. I hope the city council will support the trap and release program proposed by the Town Lake Animal Shelter. If anyone reading this post supports this idea, please write or call your council representatives.

By Leasa
August 21, 2006 09:15 AM
A few months ago, our beloved yellow lab got out of our back yard accidentally. Thanks to microchipping and a kind and educated neighbor family, he was returned to us the following day. I can’t advodate microchipping enough— we tell our story to anyone who will listen so that they, too, can learn about the power of microchipping. Microchipping should be as common as spaying/neutering for responsible pet owners and veterinarians!

By Donna P.
August 21, 2006 09:13 AM
I agree with the sterilization and microchipping idea for pets. I think the money for these programs should come from pet owners only. It’s a shame people are more interested in rights for animals as “family members” than they do for people “family members.” I guess it is true what my grandfather used to tell us, “people are just goin’ to the dogs.”

By kathy
August 21, 2006 09:11 AM
Yes, I support it. It is terrible the way we kill animals every year because of people are not responsible for their pets. I also think there should be higher fines and jail term for animal abuse and neglect. Anyone killing, hurting or dumping an animal should be forced to pay high fines and go to jail. People who abuse or neglect animals will do the same to children. It is time our society opens their eyes to the problems of animals, children and the elderly.

By carol burton
August 21, 2006 09:03 AM
yes yes yes

By Susan
August 21, 2006 09:02 AM
Absolutely. And I would gladly pay higher taxes to support these programs. In a humane community like Austin, spay/neuter should be the rule, breeding (responsibly!) the exception, and euthanasia of healthy animals a distant memory.

By petowner
August 21, 2006 08:54 AM
Anything that would help the defenseless animals in our city would be great! I too believe that education along with helping the animals would be the best thing the city could do.

By Caldwell County Commuter
August 21, 2006 08:53 AM
Yes, but for more humane reasons. I live in a very rural area and am tired of seeing unwanted pets from city citizens wandering along the road or into my yard. If you could see the wretched condition of the pets that are abandoned to fend for themselves it would make you herat sick. Your unwanted pets DO NOT understand how to survive in the wide open spaces.

By Sylvia Griffith
August 21, 2006 08:35 AM
I support city, county, and state ordinances to require pet owners to spay and neuter their pets. Responsible breeders could apply for exemption, with proof of legitimacy. Free-lance sales of pets at unregistered locations should carry a hefty fine to finance spaying and neutering of all animals involved, and community service in an area animal shelter. I would pay additional taxes to establish and enforce these ordinances, but fees for spaying and neutering pets should be paid by pet owners.

By Blue Texas
August 21, 2006 08:30 AM
RC has a good point, but the problem effects everyone. If one dumps an animal they are no longer a pet owner, but I think they should pay (twice).

By jfrederick
August 21, 2006 08:30 AM
I already pay extra for Animal Friendly plates to help spay and neuter animals, but our legistlature in it’s infinate wisdom has stolen than money for other projects. We must hold them accountable and have the money spent for the purpose it was collected for. Also, pet owners must be held responsible for their pets. All mine are vaccinated and neutered. Animal Friendly plates were supposed to pay to help low income owners get their pets neutered.

By Beth
August 21, 2006 08:21 AM
I can’t agree more! Yes, lets make it easier and less expensive to spay/neuter pets. Put the owner of the pets that are not fixed at risk of somesort of punishment since they are the negligent party. If you are responsible enough to have a pet, you need to be responsible enough to take responsibility. If they love their pets, They should take care not to risk the lives.

By Blue Texas
August 21, 2006 08:13 AM
Yes I would support a project of this nature. I think Tom stated the situation well,”we need to more aggressively attack the problem. Our current programs are not adequate as can be seen by the increasing number of dogs and cats that have no chance of being adopted”. In our case we see the packs of dogs roaming the roads. I would support a proven program in my community, area, state, …

By welsh
August 21, 2006 08:03 AM
No, I would not support an increase in taxes. I own dogs, horses and cows. I vacinate or have vacinated by my vet all of my animals. I have had my vet fix all my dogs (four). It needs to be the pet owners responsibility. If a pet owner will not do this, then they should not own any pets.

By RC
August 21, 2006 07:57 AM
increased sterilization and microchipping absolutely but the funding should come from taxes to breeders, sellers, buyers, and adoptors. NOT from non-pet owners.

By MSue
August 21, 2006 07:43 AM
YES. If mobile units are taken to community meeting places, you can educate neighbors and get more participation.

By Jean
August 21, 2006 07:42 AM
YES, YES, YES!!
Killing perfectly good domesticated animals is horrible.
A better idea: Every pet store ought to provide free neutering/spaying services when pets are sold.

By Helen Chieco
August 21, 2006 07:39 AM
Too many pets, too few responsible pet owners. I would not mind paying higher taxes for this cause. Also, if there was an ordinance inforced to have all pet owners spay & neuter their pets that would also help. People need to step up & do the right thing. Its sad that most people do not even have a clue on the amount of animals put to death every day becuse of over population.

By kim
August 21, 2006 06:48 AM
I am a animal lover of every sort and if I new my taxes where actually going to a good cause, of course I would. More people need to be educated on why it is important to have your pet fixed if you dont plan to have more. Also I know the cost in some vet hospitals can be pretty high but, in the long run it will save them money and maybe the dogs life.

By Tom Haycraft
August 21, 2006 05:27 AM
Yes, by all means, we need to more aggressively attack the problem. Our current programs are not adequate as can be seen by the increasing number of dogs and cats that have no chance of being adopted.

By peter Ten Eyck
August 21, 2006 04:58 AM
ABSOLUTELY

Low Cost Fundraising that Works

From Jill
Borkowski, a Special Events Consultant formerly with the Toledo Area Humane
Society “Give a Buck to Change Their Luck” – it’s a paper card with this message and a bone printed on it. Vet offices, pet supply stores and other local businesses sell them for $1 each, the person who buys the bone writes their name or their pet’s name on the card and the business displays them in the window. We develop a list of the places we’re going to sell the bones and assign a volunteer to each location who is responsible for dropping off the bones to the business and picking them up at the end of the promotion (we usually sell them for a 4 – 6 week time period). We give each business a little sign (which we make on the computer and print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper) to display and help in their selling efforts. We have five Pet Supplies Plus stores in Toledo and about 20 vets that participated. We raised over $7,500!

One key is that we got our local Pet Supplies Plus area manager to support the program, and he really pushed the fundraiser on all five of his local stores making a competition between each of his stores. This was so successful when we did it in the springtime that we repeated it again during the holiday season and made another $5,000 or so. You can have a local ad agency design a square card with a bone on it (pro bono of course!) or you can probably do something similar on your own computer.

Another super easy and profitable fundraiser for us was the “Hogs for Dogs” Harley Davidson motorcycle raffle. Our local Harley Davidson/Buell dealer agreed to let us purchase a motorcycle at cost (about $10,000) and sell raffle tickets for $10 each. We promoted the fact that we would only sell 2,000 tickets so chances of winning were better. We also promoted the fact that if we did not sell enough tickets to cover the cost of the bike, that the raffle would become a 50/50 raffle instead of a motorcycle raffle. Harley did not make us buy the bike upfront, so this way, there was really no risk if we did not sell enough to cover the cost of the bike. A big factor is that the Harley Davidson employees really got behind this and sold tickets on our behalf at different bike nights around town and other events they were involved with. We sold almost 2,000 tickets during a six-month time-span, which covered the cost of the bike and made almost $10,000 for our local Humane Society to keep.

Do you have a minor league baseball team in your area? (We do, right? Whoever plays at the Dell Diamond?) If so, suggest they have a “dog days of summer” event and pick a game where people can bring their dogs. Each dog has to buy a special dog ticket ($5 each), and all of the proceeds from dogs’ ticket sales benefit your cause. Our minor league team likes to do this on a weekday in late May or early June when kids are still in school, because it draws people to the ballpark during the week when they don’t normally come. We even did a silent auction of autographed sports memorabilia at the game (we contacted different pro sports teams and asked them to donate something). That, coupled with dog ticket sales, raised over $3,000!

Suggestions for getting things pro bono:

1. Have the right person do the asking. It really helps to have someone who is energetic, upbeat and excited about the cause, as well as outgoing and good with people. Not everyone is good at doing this; so make sure you select this person carefully. You could also see if any of your volunteers have connections to the companies and can make introductions for you.

2. Ask the right person at the company. It’s always best to approach a manager or key decision-maker so you don’t get the run-around.

3. Ask in person, if at all possible. This may take some additional time, but it will be worth it. It’s harder for the company to turn you down face-to-face than on email or phone.

4. Approach the company with the attitude that you are going to help them feel good about helping you, not that you are desperate and are begging for their help. We’ve also found that sometimes a humble attitude helps, such as “I’m not a professional but a volunteer, and I’m calling to take a chance that you might be interested in contributing to our cause.”

5. It helps to have literature with you, as well as information about what the money raised from the event will be spent on, if it is a fundraiser. If the event is not a fundraiser, be prepared to explain the purpose of the event (i.e., we want to find new homes for 100 animals). It gives them something tangible to associate their donation with.

6. If you are a non-profit, be sure to let them know that, and remind them that their in-kind donation will be tax deductible.

7. Tell them exactly what you would like them to do, rather than “anything you could provide would be great.” This makes your request more meaningful and tangible to them. If what you are asking for isn’t doable, then you can ask them what they would be able to help you with.

8. Be sure to tell them what you are offering in return, if anything. Think about different types of publicity and sponsorship opportunities you can give them. Tell them what kind of attendance you expect at the event and what kind of people will be there. At our last event, we received free pizzas from Papa Johns to sell at our refreshments stand. Everywhere we promoted the pizza sales at the event; we promoted it as “Papa Johns pizzas” rather than just “pizzas.”

9. Sometimes letting them know about other companies who have donated makes them feel comfortable about doing their part. It’s groupthink and a bit of peer pressure at times that makes them want to join in.

10. Some of the phrases our volunteers have used in the past to secure pro-bono items have been: “If you knew you could help decrease the 80% companion animal euthanasia rate in Tampa, might you consider helping our cause?” “In what ways might your company be able to partner with us in our goal of saving every animal in our community?”

How do you decide if an event is worthwhile or not?

From Megan Newman at No More Homeless
Pets in Hillsborough County It’s important to manage your volunteers’ time well so they don’t get burned out and feel like their contribution isn’t worthwhile.

One thing to think about is how large your group’s budget is and what other opportunities you have to raise funds. For instance, if your group is still relatively small and new, you may be more likely to consider events that will raise a few thousand dollars, even if it means a lot of work. However, a larger group that is more established in the community might consider opportunities more carefully. Do you have other ways to raise $2000 that require less work and volunteer time? What percentage of your budget is $2000? Is it guaranteed that you will make $2000 on the event? If so, that is an important consideration as well. A lot of events don’t have any kind of monetary guarantee, so they are more risky.

Another thing to consider is how many volunteers you have and how easy it would be to get that many to participate. Could you ask them to work in shifts, so one person isn’t giving up a large amount of time?

Another important consideration for events is what other benefits they will have, other than fundraising. A lot of experts have said special events are not necessarily the best or easiest way to raise funds, but they are necessary because of the other benefits they provide. Some of these benefits include getting your name out in the community and marketing your organization’s goals.

What kind of audience will this music event have? If they are people who probably haven’t heard about your organization, you may consider it more of a marketing opportunity than a fundraiser. Would you be allowed to hand out literature about your group at the event and/or bring signage to let the participants know who you are? Will your group’s name be included in any of the promotional literature for the event?

We recently did a fundraiser where we sold beads for people to throw from floats in local parades. It took a good amount of time and brought in under $1,000, but more importantly we were able to get our spay/neuter message out to a target audience we wouldn’t have been able to reach otherwise.

Another way to try and gauge your group’s interest in the event is to ask your volunteers what they want. I’m a big proponent of getting feedback from as many constituents as possible before making a big decision. Perhaps you could ask your volunteers if they would be willing to put in the time if it meant raising only $2000 for the organization, or if there are other things they would rather do that might bring in more money.

DO’s:
1. Try to get as much as possible donated.
2. Collaborate with other animal groups in your area for shared resources and contacts.
3. Get free publicity whenever possible, utilizing all available resources.
4. Plan, plan, plan!
5. Have a contingency plan for when things go wrong.
6. Be sure to thank everyone involved in the event – before, during, and after. This includes committee chairs, volunteers, donors and sponsors.
7. Set reasonable, measurable goals.
8. Remember your organization’s mission, and make sure all decisions made about the event support it.

DON’T's:
1. Sell yourself short when asking for donations. You have a wonderful cause and a lot to offer potential sponsors.
2. Underutilize your available resources, especially volunteers.
3. Hesitate to get started.

Successful Team Fundraising

(Bonney Brown excerpted from Best Friends forum archives)

Most successful organizations are comprised of a team of people with different, complimentary skills, each focused on the tasks they do best. It takes more than one person to do fundraising since most barely have time for themselves or their own animals without any help from the other members of the organization. Here are some basic steps to get things moving:

REACH OUT AND GET MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED

You need to bring more people into the organization to help. But even this takes time and effort, so either you or the president are going to need to clear the schedule and make time to do it if the organization is going to get past this current state.

Some relatively easy ways to find new volunteers:

Many local newspapers will run free notices for non-profits that are seeking volunteers. Be very specific in your ad. State that you are looking for volunteers with writing, desktop publishing and computer skills, and for people who would like to help with fundraising for the humane society.

Put up simple posters with the image of a dog or cat on them asking for volunteers with the specific skills you want for the humane society. Post them at the senior center, library, super markets, heath clubs, vet clinics… you get the idea.

Include a list of volunteer opportunities in your newsletter. Contact people on your organization’s mailing list and people you have helped in the past to ask if they might be willing to help out.

Send a note to the Best Friends Network asking them to put the word out to network members in your area and inviting them to help. Again, be as specific as possible about they type of help that is needed. (E-mail volunteer requests to bfnetwork@bestfriends.org. Be sure to write the message as you would like it to go out the network members and to include your city and state.)

CREATE A FLYER FOR THE ORGANIZATION

Once you get a volunteer with writing and desktop publishing skills, ask them to create a simple flyer for your organization. It can be a simple tri-fold brochure in black and white, but it should have a few nice photos of animals you have helped, a description of your work, a donation form, and all your contact information; phone, e-mail, website, mailing address.

I often see flyers and newsletters without the telephone area code or the city, state, or zip code. Don’t make this mistake, you never know where that flyer will end up and you want to be sure that whoever gets it can reach you – after all, they may want to send a check!

CREATE AND MAINTAIN A COMPUTERIZED MAILING LIST

You also need to find someone who can set up a simple mailing list database for you. Perhaps one of your new volunteers could do this, or maybe someone has a son or daughter who can set this up and show you how to maintain it.

There are programs available for fundraising, but in the beginning you can get by with a simple database program. As the organization grows, maintaining accurate donor records becomes critically important, so eventually you’ll need to obtain fundraising database software. An inexpensive one that I’ve used in the past is FundRaiser Family Donor Management Software.

BUILD YOUR MAILING LIST

You do not need to pay a lot of money to build up a mailing list.

Start your mailing list off with the names and addresses of all your friends and relatives who like animals. Ask the other folks in the organization for their friends’ and family members’ contact information too.

Go through the Yellow Pages for the addresses of businesses that relate to animals: vet clinics, pet supply stores, groomers, trainers, etc.

Include the names of people your organization has helped, folks who come to your events, adoptive families and donor prospects you wish to cultivate.

Obtain dog license lists, available from many town halls for a small fee.

Go out “tabling.” Arrange for volunteers to set up information tables at area pet supply stores, supermarkets, fairs, etc. This is one of the simplest, most effective and inexpensive ways to grow your list quickly. In fact, it’s the same way that Best Friends launched their mailing list many years ago now.

Tips for successful tabling:

Bring flyers about the organization, a donation canister (this will bring in some money immediately), and a colorful poster that says who you are. Don’t forget to include nice photos of animals you have helped!

Be outgoing and engage people in friendly conversation.

Record the addresses of everyone who expresses any interest in your project. Have a clipboard on the table clearly labeled “mailing list.” You may want to have a separate clipboard marked “volunteers.”

The mailing list form should have prominent headings asking for their name, mailing address, e-mail address and phone number. (If they give you their number, it indicates that they don’t mind being called. Personal phone contact can be a great way to cultivate donors!)

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE PEOPLE ON YOUR MAILING LIST

Most donors are going to need to hear from you regularly to keep supporting your organization, experts say at least 5 times a year. People need to know that their donations make a difference, and they usually also need to be invited to help or to donate.

Even a simple one-page newsletter or e-mail update will remind people about your work.

Model Spay/Neuter Ordinances

Editor’s note: This list was compiled in Feb 2005; there is an up to date compilation of model ordinances on the Helping Animals website.

The following is a sample compiled in February 2005 of 21 communities in 13 states that have either mandated spaying and neutering, instituted differential licensing or placed restrictions on breeding. This document is also available in .pdf format in the downloads section.

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California

Belmont
City Code outlines a differential licensing program for dogs and cats, as follows: unaltered dogs $21 ($.50 toward Animal Population Trust Fund), unaltered cats $11, spayed/neutered dogs $11, spayed/neutered cats $6.

Having unaltered animals also requires that a breeding permit be obtained for $25.

Guardians of unaltered animals are required to pay higher redemption fees when their animals are impounded at shelters. The impound charge is $20 for a spayed/neutered animal and is $40 for an unaltered animal ($30/$60 if an animal is not licensed). Each time impounded, the fee increases: second offense, $30/$60, third offense $90/$100, fourth offense $120/$140 and fifth offense and up $150/$170.

If an animal is impounded twice in a three-year period, he or she will be sterilized before being released back to the guardian.

Article IA, Sec. 5-27.5

(a) No person shall own or harbor any cat or dog over the age of six (6) months has not been spayed or neutered, unless such person holds either a license to keep an unaltered dog or cat or license and permit for breeding cats or dogs issued by San Mateo County Animal Control Services.

(b) A license shall be issued for an unaltered dog or cat if the owner signs a written statement that such animal will not be allowed to breed unless the owner has first obtained a breeding permit.

Article IA, Sec. 5-27.6 (d)(4) Any permit holder advertising to the public the availability of any animal for adoption or sale must prominently display the permit number in any publications in which they advertise. Further, the permit number must be provided to any person adopting or purchasing any animal bred by the permit holder.

Article IA, Sec. 5-27.7(d) Prior to release for adoption, any animal adopted from any animal welfare agency shall be spayed or neutered.

Article IA, Sec. 5-27.8(a) Any permit issued pursuant to section 5-27.6 be revoked if the animal control officer has reasonable cause to believe any of the following to be true: (3) The permittee has failed to comply with any condition or requirement of the permit or has failed to pay any fee imposed under this Code.

Article IA, Sec. 5-27.9, Penalty for violation. (1) A fine not to exceed $100 for a first violation. (2) A fine $200 for a second violation within one year. (3) A fine $500 for each additional violation within the same year.

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Los Angeles
Spaying and neutering is mandatory for all dogs and cats in city limits unless the guardian has obtained a $100.00 annual unaltered animal permit.

If the guardian wishes to breed the animal, they must also obtain a breeders license.
All dogs bred for sale or trade must be registered and seller must disclose permit number and name of breeder in any advertisement.

Violators will be fined $500.00 and would be considered a misdemeanor.

Exempts animal shelters that have implemented an ongoing spay/neuter program.

(1) No person shall cause or allow any dog or cat owned, harbored or kept within the City of Los Angeles to breed without first obtaining a breeding permit, as described below. The term breeding permit means a written authorization, issued annually by the General Manager, giving its lawful holder permission to breed a dog or a cat.

(2) Each breeding permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance, and may be renewed annually, before its expiration date. Each applicant for such a permit shall pay an annual fee of $100.00. A separate permit must be obtained for each owned dog or cat which is allowed to breed.

(3) The Department shall administer an animal breeding permit program to allow the breeding of unaltered dogs and cats consistent with criteria and according to procedures established by the General Manager pursuant to Section 53.58 of this Code. Under no circumstances shall such a permit be issued to a person who has been convicted of animal cruelty or neglect.

(4) In addition to the criteria and procedures established by the General Manager pursuant to Paragraph 3 of this subsection, all breeding permits shall contain the following terms and conditions:

• a. The owner of an unaltered female dog or cat shall not allow the whelping of more than one litter in any household within the permit year. Notwithstanding this provision, the General Manager is hereby authorized, upon application of a permittee, to allow on a one time basis the whelping of up to two dog or cat litters per breeding animal within any domestic household within a permit year, if the permittee establishes, according to regulations promulgated by the General Manager, that such breeding is required to protect the health of the animal or avert a substantial economic loss to the permittee. In the event that a permittee is forced to euthanized a litter of dogs or cats, the General Manager may authorize the whelping of one additional litter of dogs or cats within the same permit year by the permittee;
• b. No offspring may be sold, adopted, bartered, or otherwise transferred, whether for compensation or otherwise, until it has reached the age of at least eight weeks;
• c. No offspring may be sold or adopted until immunized against common diseases. The sale or adoption of a dog or cat shall include a statement signed by the seller or adopter attesting to the signatorys knowledge of the animals health, and the animals immunization history;
• d. Any holder of a breeding permit who advertises to the public the availability of any dog or cat for sale, adoption, or transfer, whether for compensation or otherwise, must prominently display the permit number in any such advertisement. Further, the breeding permit holder must provide the permit number to any person who purchases, adopts or received any animal from the permit holder and include the permit number on any receipt of sale or transfer document;
• e. Commercial establishments selling locally bred dogs or cats shall prominently display the breeding permit number(s) of the breeder(s) whose dogs and cats are sold in said establishments and any other pertinent information required by the General Manager; Commercial establishments selling dogs and cats which were not bred within the City of Los Angeles shall prominently display the name and address of the breeder(s) of such dogs and cats and any other pertinent information required by the General Manager;
• f. Any breeding permit holder selling or otherwise transferring a dog or a cat, whether for compensation or otherwise, shall submit to the Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation the name, address, and telephone number of the animals new owner within five days from the sale or other transfer, on a Department approved form; and
• g. Any breeding permit holder or commercial establishment which sells or otherwise transfers a dog or cat, whether for compensation or otherwise, shall provide to the new animal owner City application(s) for a license and permit as well as written information regarding the license and permit requirements of the City of Los Angeles applicable to such animal.

(5) The following animals are exempt from the breeding permit requirements:

• (1) Dogs documented as having been appropriately trained and actively used by law enforcement agencies for law enforcement and rescue activities;
• (2) Dogs documented as guide, signal, or service dogs pursuant to California Penal Code Section 365.5(d), (e) & (f) and successor sections;
• (3) Dogs and cats certified by a licensed veterinarian as not being suitable subjects for spaying and neutering due to health reasons;
• (4) Dogs and cats under the care of governmental animal control agencies; animal rescue organizations which have demonstrated to the Department that they have implemented an ongoing spay/neuter plan, as well as an adoption plan; or humane societies or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, of such societies are incorporated under the provision of California Corporations Code Section 10400 and the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law in Part 2 of the California Corporations Code, beginning at Section 5110, and successor sections; and
• (5) Dogs documented as enrolled in a guide, signal or service dog breeding program administered by a person licensed under Chapter 9.5.

Penalties:

(1) Any cat or dog owner found by the Department to be in violation of the breeding permit provision of this section may correct the violation(s) by providing conclusive proof to the Department that the dog(s) or cat(s) have been spayed or neutered, or by obtaining the necessary permits(s) mentioned in this section, no later than forty five days from the date when the Department had first notified the owner of the violation. Should the owner fail to correct the violation(s) in the manner described above, the Department shall impose a $500.00 civil penalty on the dog or cat owner. Notice of this penalty shall be served by the Department on the dog or cat owner in the manner allowed by Section 11(i) of this Code. This penalty shall not be waived by the Department upon the transfer or abandonment of the dog or cat by the non compliant owner. This penalty shall be imposed in addition to any other applicable civil or criminal penalties.

If the civil penalty mentioned above is not paid and the owner does not spay/neuter his/her dog(s) or cat(s) or obtains the breeding permit(s) required under Subsection (c), above, within fifteen days from the date when the Department first notified the owner of the imposition of the civil penalty mentioned in Section (d)(1), the continuing violation of the breeding permit requirement of this section becomes a misdemeanor and may be prosecuted as such.

(2)The Department may revoke any permit issued.

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Pacific Grove
All dogs and cats are required to be spayed or neutered unless the guardian obtains an unaltered dog permit.

There is a licensing differential of $7.50 for a spayed or neutered animal and $30 for an unaltered animal.

Impoundment fees for licensed and spayed or neutered dogs are waived; licensed, unaltered dogs may be waived if the guardian signs an agreement to spay or neuter the dog within 10 days.
Guardians who wish to breed their dog or cat may purchase a breeders permit, which allows no more than one litter per adult female per year. Guardians who wish to produce more than one litter each year may apply for a commercial breeders permit.

Ord. 10.04.100 (1) Licensed and Sterilized Dogs. For a currently licensed dog that has been sterilized, the reclaiming owner shall be granted a waiver from the impoundment fee for the first-time impoundment of the dog. (2) Licensed Dogs, Unsterilized. For a licensed but unsterilized dog, the first-time impoundment fee and unsterilized dog fee may be waived at the request of the reclaiming owner provided that, prior to release of the dog, the Delivery to Veterinarian procedure, as defined in subsection (d), is followed.

Ord. 10.04.100 (3) (d) Delivery to Veterinarian Procedure. The owner shall volunteer the animal for sterilization and deposit the requisite fee with a licensed veterinarian. In return, the veterinarian shall provide the owner with a receipt certifying that sterilization of the animal has been paid for and scheduled or that health considerations preclude sterilization. Upon presentation of such receipt and certification to the holding agency, the animal shall be released to the owner. Sterilization under this procedure shall take place no later than ten days after release In the event of failure to meet the appropriate deadline, the deposit shall be forfeited, and after deducting reasonable costs, the veterinarian shall return the remainder to the city or its designee for educational purposes related to pet sterilization programs.

Ord. 10.18.010, Sterilization of Adopted Animals–Fees. (a) No unsterilized dog or cat shall be released by the city or its designee for adoption unless the adopter first follows the Delivery to Veterinarian procedure.

Ord. 10.16.040 Breeding. (1) The requirement for a breeding permit may be waived if, on the first occasion of such birth, the litter is delivered to the S.P.C.A. for humane disposition, the owner has the parent animal sterilized, and proof of such actions is provided to the city or its designated representative.

(4) Permits shall apply to no more than one litter per adult female per year regardless of litter size, except as follows: Owners wishing to produce litters at a rate higher than one per year may be issued a commercial breeding permit upon completion of the appropriate application and payment of the fee established by resolution of the council. The commercial breeding permit is not subject to the single litter limitation.

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San Mateo

Any dog or cat over 6 months of age must be spayed or neutered, unless the guardian holds an unaltered license.

If the animal breeds accidentally, the guardian must obtain a breeders permit in addition to the unaltered license.

Any guardian redeeming an impounded unaltered animal will be required to pay a spay/neuter fee in the amount of $35 in addition to the impound fees imposed. This fee will be refunded if the animal is spayed or neutered within 30 days. Any unaltered animal impounded twice or more within a 3-year period will be altered at the guardians expense prior to redemption. At the option of the guardian, required spaying or neutering may be performed by a private veterinarian.

There are differential licensing charges: $11 for spayed or neutered dogs and $21 (which includes a $.50 surcharge for the Animal Population Trust Fund) for unaltered dogs. Spayed/neutered cats are $6 and $11 for unaltered cats.

Penalties for violation, of spay/neuter ordinances are fines not to exceed $100 on the first offense, $200 on the second offense, and $500 for each additional violation of the same ordinance within one year.

Chap. 8.02.090, Sec. 3332.4 (a) No person shall own or harbor within the City any cat or dog over the age of six months which has not been spayed or neutered, unless such person holds either a license to keep an unaltered dog or cat or a license and permit for breeding cats or dogs.

Chap. 8.02, Sec. 3330.8 Upon redemption of any impounded unaltered animal, the owner will be required to pay a spay/neuter fee in the amount of $35.0 in addition to the impound fees imposed under Section 3330.12. Such fee shall be refundable upon proof of spaying /neutering of the animal within 30 days of the redemption date. Any unaltered animal impounded twice or more within a three-year period shall be altered at the owners expense prior to redemption. At the option of the owner, required spaying or neutering may be performed by a private veterinarian.

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Colorado

Aurora
Differential licensing allows for a reduced cost for spayed/neutered animals.

Permits for unaltered animals may be purchased for $25 (in addition to the annual $7 license fee), and the animals are not allowed to breed.

All litters born are is required to have a litter permit and registration number.

A breeders permit required for professional breeders ($85/year) for anyone selling for giving away animals and is required to be displayed for any animal for sale. The permit must be purchased before producing a litter of puppies or kittens.

Cats are prohibited from running at large.

Sec. 14-42 (a) Spay or Neuter Required It shall be unlawful to own, possess or keep in the city any dog or cat over the age of six months that has not been spayed or neutered, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

Sec. 14-42 (b) Exceptions. The following are exceptions to the spay or neuter requirements in subsection (a) of this section:

• (1) Medical. A licensed veterinarian has determined that an animal is medically unsuited to undergo the surgical procedure. A signed statement from a licensed veterinarian is required and shall state specifically the medical grounds for the exemption.
• (2) Temporary medical. When the animals medical condition is temporary in nature, the licensed veterinarian shall sign a written statement as to the prognosis of when the surgery may be performed. The date given on that prognosis shall become the expiration date of the temporary medical exemption. After the period of the temporary medical exemption, spay or neuter shall be required unless a licensed veterinarian provides another temporary medical exemption and prognosis of when the surgery may be performed.
• (3) Transitory status. An animal which is temporarily in the city. When an animal is temporarily in the city for breeding purposes, the owner of such animal is required to have and present, when requested, a certificate of health signed by a licensed veterinarian.
• (4) Intact permit. An owner obtains an annual intact animal permit and is in compliance with the city annual licensing requirements contained in this chapter.

Sec. 14-42 (c) Litter Permit and Registration Number. All litters, or a portion thereof, of puppies or kittens that are to be whelped, queened, sold, traded, bartered, given away, or otherwise transferred within the City of Aurora shall have a litter permit and registration number.

• (1) The owner or possessor shall obtain a litter permit and registration number within one week of obtaining possession of any litter, or portion thereof, of puppies or kittens.
• (2) Owners or possessors shall abide by all the litter permit and registration administrative requirements.
• (3)The litter permit and registration number requirements, of this subsection shall not apply to pet shops.

Sec. 14-42 (d) Penalty. Any owner found guilty of violating this section and not classified within the exceptions shall be subject to both fine and imprisonment as provided by section 1-13 if this Code. Upon the first conviction, the court shall impose a fine of not less that $100.00. A portion of the minimum monetary fines and imprisonment may be suspended by the municipal court only if the owner of any animal in violation presents to the court proof of the spay or neuter of the animal. Upon a second conviction, in addition to any penalty provided by section 113, the owner shall be required to spay or neuter the animal (unless the owner provides a written statement from a licensed veterinarian that the spay or neuter procedure would be harmful or dangerous to the health of the animal). Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing the animal care officer from instituting a proceeding in the municipal court for violation of this section where there has been no impoundment.

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Denver

Breeding is illegal in Denver County.

Spaying and neutering is mandatory for all animals over 6 months old unless there is a medical reason for an exemption.

Guardians who do not want to spay or neuter their companion animals must pay $43 each year for an intact permit. If denied an intact permit, by law the animal must be spayed or neutered. An intact permit is not a breeding permit; breeding is illegal.

If guardians fail to comply with the spay/neuter municipal codes, the animals license will be revoked and the animal could be impounded.

Ord. No. 999-95, Sec. 8-70. It is the purpose of this section to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the city by reducing the number of stray dogs and cats. The council finds that each year tens of thousands of dogs and cats are euthanized in the city because they are not wanted. It is the purpose of this section to eliminate the excessive numbers of unwanted animals and thereby stop the needless killing of these animals by restricting the breeding practices of pet owners and breeders through legislation that is both reasonable and enforceable.

Ord. No. 999-95, Sec. 8-71. It shall be unlawful to own, possess or keep in the city any dog or cat over the age of six (6) months that has not been spayed or neutered.

Ord. No. 999-95, Sec. 8-73. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1-13, any person cited with violation of this article shall have his or her citation dismissed if there is proof of compliance with the terms of this article within thirty (30) days of the date of the summons or impoundment.

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Lake County

Differential fines for animals running loose charging allow for $100 for unaltered animals and $25 for spayed/neutered animals.

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Illinois

Rock Island

It is mandatory to spay or neuter all dogs and cats unless the guardian pays for an unaltered license ($30).

Differential licensing establishes fees of $6 for spayed/neutered animals and $30 for unaltered animals. Discounts for senior citizens are $15 for unaltered animals and $3 for spayed or neutered animals.

Breeders must also pay a license fee of $6 for each dog over 6 months of age in addition to the $50 breeding license.

Any dog or cat who is impounded for the second time will be spayed or neutered. The guardian will pay a $50 penalty fee in addition to the reasonable cost of this mandatory sterilization when redeeming the animal from the shelter.

Div. 2, Dogs and Cats. Sec. 7-146. Spaying And Neutering: (a) No person shall own, harbor or keep within the City any cat or dog over the age of six (6) months which has not been spayed or neutered, unless such person holds either a license for breeding cats or dogs issued by the City or possesses an unaltered dog or cat license as stated in this section or a written certificate from a licensed veterinarian that, due to health considerations, the animal should not be spayed or neutered.

Div. 3, Impoundment. Sec. 7-156. (3) Any dog or cat that is impounded a second time within a one-year period shall be altered. The owner shall pay a penalty in the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) for a second impoundment and in addition thereto the reasonable cost for the mandatory altering of the animal if the altering would not endanger the health of the animal.

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Indiana

Bloomington

Any guardians who intentionally or unintentionally cause or allow their companion animal to breed must first acquire a breeding permit.

Breeders are required to keep a record of all births sales, information on each buyer, and proof that each animal was legally bred.

Breeders are limited to only one litter each year.

Permit fees are waived for guardians who spay or neuter their animal within 14 weeks after giving birth to a litter or who relinquish the adult dog or cat to the animal shelter.

7.22.010, Minor Breeder Permit Required. No individual or business shall be a minor breeder without obtaining a permit in compliance with this chapter.

• (a) A minor breeder permit shall be obtained by:

• (1) Any individual who intentionally or unintentionally causes or allows the breeding of a cat or dog, or makes a cat or dog available for breeding purposes; or
• (2) Any person who offers for sale, sells, trades, receives for any compensation or gives away any litter of dogs or cats, with the exception of litters taken to the animal shelter.

(b) Minor breeders shall also:

• (1) Breed only one dog or one cat which results in the birthing of a maximum of one litter in a twelve-month period;
• (2) Not offer for sale, sell, trade, receive any compensation or give away more than one litter of dogs or one litter or cats in a twelve-month period, with the exception of a litter of dogs or cats taken to the animal shelter;
• (3) Keep records as to the birth of each litter of dogs or cats as may be required by the animal control department;
• (4) Keep records of the name, address and telephone number of each buyer or new owner of any dog or cat sold or transferred;
• (5) Furnish to each buyer or new owner of an animal the minor breeder permit number of the minor breeder in order that the new owner has proof and assurance that the animal was legally bred;
• (6) Not offer a puppy or kitten under the age of eight weeks of age for sale, trade, or other compensation or free giveaway, with the exception of animals taken to the animal shelter;
• (7) Recommend that any animal sold, transferred or given away be examined by a licensed veterinarian within one week of the date of transfer; and
• (8) List their minor breeder permit number on all public notices advertising the sale or free giveaway of litters of or individual puppies or kittens.

(c) Any owner or person having custody of a dog or cat which has been altered within fourteen weeks after giving birth to a litter or who relinquishes the adult dog or cat to the animal shelter within fourteen weeks of the birth date of the litter shall have all permit requirements waived.

7.22.020, Major Breeder Permit Required. No individual or business shall be a major breeder without obtaining a permit in compliance with this chapter.

• (a) A major breeder permit shall be obtained by:

• (1) Any individual who intentionally or unintentionally causes or allows the breeding of a cat or dog, or makes a cat or dog available for breeding purposes; or
• (2) Any person who offers for sale, sells, trades, receives for any compensation or gives away any litter of dogs or cats, with the exception of litters taken to the animal shelter.

(b) Major breeders shall also:

• (1) Not allow the birthing of more than one litter per female dog or cat in a twelve-month period;
• (2) Keep records as to the birth of each litter of dogs or cats as may be required by the animal control department;
• (3) Keep records of the name, address and telephone number of each buyer or new owner of any dog or cat sold or transferred;
• (4) Furnish to each buyer or new owner of an animal the major breeder permit number of the major breeder in order that the new owner has proof and assurance that the animal was legally bred;
• (5) Not offer a puppy or kitten under the age of eight weeks of age for sale, trade, or other compensation or free giveaway, with the exception of animals taken to the animal shelter;
• (6) Recommend that any animal sold, transferred or given away be examined by a licensed veterinarian within one week of the date of transfer; and
• (7) List their major breeder number on all public notices advertising the sale or free giveaway of litters of or individual puppies or kittens.

7.22.050, Breeder Permit Periods.

• (a) Minor breeder permits shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance.
• (b) Major breeder permits shall be issued on a litter-by-litter basis and shall be valid for one year from the date of application.

7.22.060, Fees. Fees for breeder permits shall be:

• (a) Minor breeder permit $60.00;
• (b) Major breeder permit $100.00 per litter.

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Fort Wayne

There is a licensing differential charging $4 for spayed or neutered animals and $25 for unaltered animals.

Breeding is illegal unless a guardian obtains either a minor or major breeding permit.

A minor breeding permit costs $40 and may be obtained by a guardian who intentionally or accidentally causes the breeding of a cat or dog and who offers any litters for sale or trade.

A major breeding permit costs $100 each year in addition to a kennel/cattery fee. This is for professional breeders.

If guardians spay or neuter an animal within 10 weeks of the birth of a litter, the guardians must purchase a minor breeder permit for $10.

Breeders are only permitted to allow their animals to have one litter in a 12-month period.

Guardians who allow their animals to breed and do not wish to spay or neuter or relinquish the animals to the Department of Animal Control, must have their animals microchipped and registered within 30 days of receiving a notice.

Guardians of animals who have bred are required to furnish animal control with information on the birth of each litter, as well as records of sale, adoption, buyers/adopters (name, address, phone number), and must immunize all animals in each litter.

Ord. 91.055. Major Breeders Permit.

• (A) A major breeders permit shall be obtained by:

• (1) Any person who intentionally or accidentally causes the breeding of a cat or dog or makes a cat or dog available for breeding purposes; or
• (2) Any person who offers for sale, sells, trades, receives other compensation or gives away any litters of dogs or cats; excepting a litter of dogs or cats taken to the Department of Animal Control;

(B) And such person shall:

• (1) Not allow the birthing of more than one litter per female dog or cat in a 12-month period; and
• (2) Furnish the Department of Animal Control with information on the birth of each litter of dogs or cats as may be required by Department of Animal control to register that litter of dogs or cats with Department of Animal Control, and to be assigned a litter number for each litter.

Ord. 91.056. Minor Breeders Permit.

• (A) A minor breeders permit shall be obtained by:

• (1) Any person who intentionally or accidentally causes the breeding of a cat or dog or makes a cat or dogs available for breeding purposes;
• (2) Any person who offers for sale, sells, trades, receives other compensation or gives away any litters of dogs or cats; excepting a litter of dogs or cats taken to the Department of Animal Control;
• (3) Any owner or person having custody of a dog or cat that has delivered a litter or caused the delivery of a litter, who chooses not to relinquish the animal to the Department of Animal Control and also chooses not to have the animal spayed or neutered shall cause the animal to be implanted with a microchip and to register this dog or cat within 30 days of having received notice to accomplish this procedure from the Department of Animal Control.

(B) And such person shall:

• (1) Be allowed to breed only one dog or one cat which results in the birthing of a maximum of one litter in a 12-month period

(8)(C) Any owner or person having custody of a dog or cat which has been neutered within 10 weeks after giving birth to a litter or who turns the adult dog or cat over to the Department of Animal Control within 10 weeks of the birth date of the litter will be required to purchase a minor breeder permit at the rate of $10.

(D) Any owner or person having custody of a dog or cat which has delivered a litter, who chooses not to relinquish said animal to the Department of Animal Control and also chooses not to have the animal neutered, will be required to purchase a minor breeder permit at the rate of $40 plus any applicable kennel/cattery permit fee. The permit shall be issued provided all requirements of this chapter are met.

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Hamilton County

Spaying and Neutering is mandatory by the time any dog or cat is 9 months old unless the guardian obtains a $50 breeders permit.

Any guardian intentionally or accidentally breeding an animal is required to purchase the $50 breeders permit.

The ordinance also limits the number of litters a breeder can have, sell, trade or give away.

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Maryland

Baltimore City

Differential licensing charges $10 for a spayed or neutered dog or cat and $30 for an unaltered animal.

In April 2002, a law was passed that gives animal control the authority to put a microchip implant into animals the first time they are found roaming the streets.

On the second impoundment, the animal is required to be spayed or neutered at the guardians expense.

Sec. 10-309 (c) Impoundment; Conditions for Return to Owners.

• (1) On a first or subsequent impoundment of a dog or cat, the Commissioner may require that, as a condition for the animals return to its owner or keeper: (i) a microchip, containing the information the Commissioner specifies, be surgically implanted in the animal; and (ii) the owner or keeper agree to keep the information current, as directed by the Commissioner.
• (2) On a second or subsequent impoundment, the Commissioner may require that, as a condition of the animals return to its owner or keeper, the animal to be altered.
• (3) The costs incurred in these procedures must be paid by the owner or keeper when reclaiming the animal.

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Montgomery County

Animal control agencies and shelters have the authority to spay or neuter any dog or cat that is impounded two or more times, at the owners expense.

The county is mandated to provide the county residents with spay/neuter clinics and offer services at uniform or reduced rate.

Sec. 5-303 (7) (d) Multiple Impoundments. (1) If an unaltered dog or cat is impounded 2 or more times, the owner must have the animal altered at the owners expense or surrender the animal to the Director.

Sec. 5-403 (a) The county directly or by contract must establish one or more clinics where county residents may have dogs or cats altered in a humane manner by a licensed veterinarian for a fee set by regulation. The county may contract for altering services by a licensed veterinarian at the veterinarians own place of business. The fee may be: (1) uniform or based on ability to pay; and (2) waived or reduced for financial hardship.

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Missouri

St. Louis

Any impounded stray animal will be spayed or neutered at the guardians expense.

All stray animals caught or impounded by animal control will be microchipped.

Differential licensing charges $50 for unaltered animals and $4 for spayed or neutered animals.

Any citizen who fails to comply with this ordinance will be fined.

Sec. 10.04.150 to 10.04.160 Release feesdogs or cats. No dog or cat should be finally released unless procedures approved by the Health Commissioner to have it spayed or neutered and micro-chipped for identification have been followed.

Sec. 10.04.065 Neuter Assistance and Education Fund. All fees and penalties collected under the provisions of Sections 10.04.150 and 10.04.160, not to exceed Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) each fiscal year, shall be deposited into a special fund to be known as the Neuter Assistance and Education Fund (the Fund). The purpose of the Fund shall be to offer financial assistance to qualified St. Louis City residents for the spaying and neutering of their dogs and cats and to create public awareness regarding efforts to control pet overpopulation in the City of St. Louis. … No dog or cat should be finally released unless procedures approved by the Health Commissioner to have it spayed or neutered have been followed.

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New Mexico

McKinley County

Differential licensing charges $25 for unaltered dogs and cats and $5 for spayed or neutered animals.

With proof of sterilization, the county will refund $20 of the unaltered license fee if provided within 45 days.

Breeders are required to pay an additional $35 for a breeders permit.

6-2-15: (A) License Fees:

• 1. The annual license fee for each unneutered or unspayed dog or cat shall be $25.00; $20.00 will be refunded if proof of spaying or neutering is provided to the Center within forty-five (45) days.
• 2. The annual license fee for each unneutered or unspayed dog or cat which is owned by a person sixty-two (62) years of age or older shall be $25.00 annually; $22.00 will be refunded if spayed or neutered within forty-five (45) days.
• 3. For each neutered or spayed dog or cat, and for each dog or cat for which neutering or spaying has been certified as a surgical risk, the annual sterilized license fee shall be $5.00. Proof of qualification for sterilized license can only be made with a written certificate from a licensed veterinarian stating that the animal has been neutered or spayed or that neutering or spaying would be a surgical risk for the animal due to the animals age or condition.
• 4. The license fee shall not apply to specially trained dogs owned, harbored or kept for the purpose of assisting the blind or the deaf.

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New Jersey

Camden

Dogs and cats over the age of 6 months must be spayed or neutered.

Animals with extreme medical conditions are excepted from the ordinance.

Guardians of animals kept unaltered for any purpose must meet certain animal-care requirements and must obtain an annual permit from the city for $100.

The law does not apply to animals kept in Camden for fewer than 30 days in a one-year period.

210-39. Spaying or neutering required. [Amended 8-5-1999 by Ord. No. MC-3502]

It shall be unlawful to own, possess or keep in the City any dog or cat over the age of six months that has not been spayed or neutered, except as provided in 210-40 of this article.

210-40. Exceptions; permit to keep unspayed or unneutered pet.

The above prohibition shall not apply in the following situations:

• A. Statement of veterinarian. If a licensed veterinarian states, in writing, that an animal is unfit to undergo the required surgical procedure because of an extreme health condition of the animal. Such extreme health conditions shall include, but not be limited to; severe cardiovascular comprise, bleeding disorder, respiratory disease and hepatic disease. The old age of an animal shall not, of itself, constitute an extreme health condition for purposes of this section.
• B. If an animal is kept intact for any purpose, the owner of the animal shall be required to annually obtain a permit from the City to possess an animal that is not spayed or neutered. The permit shall be obtained for $100 and shall be issued or renewed only if the City determines that the following conditions have been met: [Amended 8-5-1999 by Ord. No. MC-3502; 3-22-2001 by Ord. No. MC-3643]

• (1) The animal is examined regularly by a licensed veterinarian.
• (2) The animal is vaccinated annually for rabies and other common diseases.
• (3) The animal is housed properly.
• (4) The owner has not been in violation of other animal-related ordinance or state laws in the past 24 months.

C. If an animal is temporarily in the City to participate in a show or event sponsored by a nonprofit, sanctioned animal organization.

D. If an animal is owned, possessed or kept in the City for fewer than 30 days in a one-year period. However, the owner must show proof of ownership and residency in a town other than the City with a valid, up-to-date dog or cat (if applicable) license and other.

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New York

New York City

All shelters and animal control agencies have the authority to spay/neuter all animals that are impounded, whether the animals are adopted or returned to their guardians.

All shelters are required to provide sterilization services (exceptions are made for registered show dogs with proof of registry)

All animals bought from a pet shop must be spayed or neutered.

Chap. 8, Sec. 17-804. Sterilization Required.

A. No full-service shelter or other shelter for homeless animals required to have a permit issued pursuant to subdivision (b) of section 161.09 of the New York city health code shall release a dog or cat to a person claiming ownership thereof, or to a person adopting such dog or cat, unless such dog or cat has been sterilized by a licensed veterinarian; provided, however, that such requirement shall not apply: (1) if a licensed veterinarian certifies to such shelter that he or she has examined such dog or cat and found that because of a medical reason, the life of such dog or cat would be endangered by sterilization; provided, however, that such reason shall not consist solely of the youth of such dog or cat, if such dog or cat is at least eight weeks of age.

Chap. 8, Sec. 17-804 (4) b. No pet shop shall release to a consumer a dog or cat that has not been sterilized by a licensed veterinarian; provided, however, that such requirement shall not apply to a consumer who presents to the pet shop a letter from such consumers licensed veterinarian, dated within the immediately preceding ten days, stating the reason(s) why, in the opinion of such veterinarian, such dog or cat should not be sterilized until a later specific date, not to exceed four months following the date of such letter. Such letter shall state that such veterinarian will cause such dog or cat to be sterilized at the request of such consumer on or before such later specified date. Such veterinarian shall also provide to the pet shop a certificate, in such form and manner as determined by rules promulgated by the department, stating the date on which such sterilization was performed. Any consumer who provides a pet shop with a letter with respect to a later sterilization of a dog or cat must ensure that such animal is sterilized by the date indicated in the letter.

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North Carolina

Buncombe County

Cats and dogs over the age of 6 months must be spayed or neutered.

Guardians of unaltered animals are required to hold a $100 unaltered animal permit.
Citations will be issued to those guardians of unaltered animals who do not hold a permit if they are also in violation of any other aspect of the countys ordinances pertaining to animals.
Service and police dogs, animals kept in the county for less than 30 days, and those certified by a veterinarian to be unfit for alteration because of medical conditions are exempt from the ordinance.

Ordinance # 03-12-16
Ordinance Amending Chapter 6 Animals of the County Code of Ordinances

Dog and Cat Overpopulation

Spaying and neutering requirements; unaltered animals permit required. No person shall own or harbor any dog or cat over the age of six months that has not been spayed or neutered unless such person holds an unaltered animal permit issued for such animal by the department of animal services, or any successor agency authorized by law to issue such a permit, except:

• a. persons who own or harbor service dogs or police work dogs;
• b. individuals who are non-residents of Buncombe County and reside temporarily therein for a period not to exceed thirty days;
• c.animal shelters and veterinary hospitals; and
• d. persons who own or harbor a dog or cat and who are in possession of a certification signed by a licensed veterinarian stating that such animal is unfit to be spayed or neutered because such procedure would endanger the life of such animal.

Obtaining an Unaltered Animal Permit

Applicants must apply for permits required by this section with the Director of Animal Services. The fee for an unaltered animal permit shall be one hundred dollars. A tag will be issued identifying the animal as an unaltered animal and must be displayed at all times.

Effective date February 1, 2004. For 60 days after the effective date, warning citations will be issued for unaltered animals without a permit. After April 1, 2004, citations will be issued to owners of unaltered animals not holding a permit. If the animal is altered within 30 days, the citation will be waived. A citation will only be issued under this section if the animal is in violation of another provision of Chapter 6.

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Ohio

Athens

Any dog or cat over the age of six months must be spayed or neutered before being sold or given away.

Any dog or cat under the age of six months must have proof of the purchase of spay or neuter services from a licensed veterinarian.

Violations are subject to a minor misdemeanor fine of up to $100 with proceeds paid to the County Sick and Injured Animal Fund.

Section 9.01.09. Spaying and Neutering of Dogs and Cats

It shall be unlawful to sell or give away in the City of Athens, Ohio, any dog or cat over the age of six months that has not been spayed or neutered, except as provided in the exceptions contained herein.

It shall be unlawful to sell or give away in the City of Athens, Ohio, any dog or cat under the age of six months without proof of purchase of spay or neuter services from a licensed veterinarian, including a signed statement from the licensed veterinarian that such services will be rendered by the age of six months.

There is hereby excepted from the provisions of this Athens City Code Section the following:

• (A) Any dog or cat that a licensed veterinarian has determined is medically unsuited to undergo the sterilization procedure. A signed statement from a licensed veterinarian is required, and the signed statement shall state specifically the medical grounds for the exemption. When the dog or cats medical condition precluding spaying or neutering is temporary, the licensed veterinarian shall sign a written statement as to the prognosis of when the surgery may be performed. The dog or cat shall be spayed or neutered immediately upon the expiration of the medical condition unless the veterinarian signs another written statement indicating the dog or cat’s medical condition precludes it.
• (B) The breeder of a dog or cat may sell or place their animals intact. The breeder of a dog or cat is defined as a person who owns or leases the dog or cat when the dam or queen was bred. To qualify for this exemption, the breeder must live in the City of Athens, Ohio. Proof of spay or neuter procedures for dogs and cats covered hereunder, shall be the responsibility of the seller, or person giving the dog or cat away. Evidence of spay or neuter procedures shall be available to the Athens City Dog Warden upon request. Any person cited pursuant to this section of the Athens City Code, shall have the citation dismissed, if there is proof of compliance within fourteen days after the date of the citation. Any person found guilty of violating this section of the Athens City Code shall be subject to a minor misdemeanor fine of up to one hundred dollars ($100.00) with proceeds paid to the County Sick and Injured Animal Fund. Each day, after the finding of guilty, that the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

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Virginia

Richmond
Spaying and neutering is mandatory unless guardians pay $100 a year for a breeders permit.

If the guardians fail to purchase the permit, they will be fined an additional $50.

Breeding restrictions limit unsterilized animals to only whelp one litter per animal within the permit year.

Sec. 4-77

• (a) No person shall cause or allow any dog or cat owned, harbored or kept within the City of Richmond to breed without first obtaining a breeding permit, as described below. The term breeding permit means a written authorization, issued annually by the Department of Public Health, giving its lawful holder permission to breed a dog or a cat.
• (b) Each breeding permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance, and may be renewed annually before its expiration date. Each applicant for such a permit shall pay an annual fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per dog or cat. A separate permit must be obtained for each owned dog or cat which is allowed to breed.
• (c) (1) The owner of a female dog or cat that is not sterilized shall not allow the whelping of more than one litter per animal in any household within the permit year.

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Washington

King County

All dogs and cats over 6 months old must be spayed or neutered unless the guardian buys an unaltered license for $55.

The county was also very aggressive at marketing its licenses by making various grocery stores, pet supply shops, and veterinary clinics temporary sales outlets as well as operating door-to-door sales.

It is illegal to advertise to King County residents the availability of any unaltered dog or cat.

Chap IV, Sec. 11.04.400. Mandatory Spaying and Neutering A. No person shall own or harbor any cat or dog over the age of six months that has not been spayed or neutered unless the person holds an unaltered animal license for the animal pursuant to K.C.C. 11.04.030.

Chap. IV, Sec. 11.04.510. Unaltered Dogs and Cats. Advertising requirements. No person in unincorporated King County shall publish or advertise to King County residents the availability of any unaltered cat or dog unless the publication or advertisement includes: the unaltered animals license number or the animals juvenile license number, provided, however that nothing in this chapter shall prohibit licensed breeders from advertising in national publications for sale of a planned litter or litters.

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Tacoma

It is mandatory to spay or neuter animals impounded for the second time.

A licensing differential increased licensing of unaltered animals from $14 to $50.

The following states require mandatory spaying or neutering of all animals adopted from animal shelters:

Arizona
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Texas
Virginia