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Florida Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill Set for Hearing

A bill that would mandate spay/neuter surgery for dogs and cats over 4 months of age in Florida is scheduled to be heard March 24 during a meeting of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Committee.

The proposal, House Bill 451, describes pet overpopulation as a preventable problem that can be solved “simply by spaying and neutering companion animals.” As introduced, the bill requires the owner of every dog or cat in Florida to have each animal sterilized within 30 days of the animal reaching 4 months of age, or within 30 days of the owner taking in the pet.

Criteria for exemption include:

• Dogs with veterinary certification showing that sterilization would endanger the pet’s health because of its age, disability or illness.
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• A Greyhound used for racing, until retirement.
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• Show animals registered with an established breed registration group approved by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
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• Dogs or cats that have earned or are earning a competitive sports title such as agility or obedience.
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• Animals trained or in training for use in law enforcement, military or rescue.
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• Animals for which an owner holds a valid breeding permit issued in accordance with an ordinance of a county or municipality.

The bill authorizes a county or municipality to collect a surcharge of up to $5 on civil penalties, which range from $100 to $250. <HOME>

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Florida Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill Set for Hearing

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Mandatory Spay neuter laws FAIL everywhere. There are no conclusive studies anywhere that show that they work. Do your homework!!! There are better ways to achieve reductions in shelter intakes. One way is to not donate to extremist groups like Peta and HSUS who are behind the big push for MSN laws. The REAL reason for MSN laws is to eliminate pet ownership entirely. Get a clue, Tampa, FL Posted: 9/23/2009 12:43:21 AM This is a WAY OVERDUE IDEA!!!! It is so much better for the animals health for ONE thing, and the other thing is that these ignorant two legged owners will let their pets multiply and then..... just dump them or give them to a shelter... OMG, whats that about???? I think hand in hand with this should be some more LOW COST NEUTERING/SPAYING programs!!! Audrey, St. Johns County, FL Posted: 8/10/2009 5:12:55 AM This is excellent!!! I am very close to a no kill shelter in Middleburg, and a lady that rescues dogs, cats and birds. People drop them off to her because they know she won't refuse, and they've gotten tired of their pets for some reason. She keeps them until they can be placed in the shelter for adoption -- some she just keeps and will forever. She now has 15 dogs, 14 cats and a dozen macaws, parrots, love birds, etc. Every animal she has came from a human that decided to 'get rid' of them. I applaud this bill and know first hand how over-populated the shelters everywhere in the country are. Thank you!!!! dru, orange park, FL Posted: 8/1/2009 2:49:48 PM I have done dog rescue for a number of years. Anyone who is oppossed to this bill should have to spend a few days at an animal shelter. Watching puppies, kittens, purebreds and lovable mutts being euthanized due to lack of available homes is truly heartbreaking. Sadly most animals that enter a shelter ( usually 90% and above) do not leave it alive - most leave in body bags. Unless we stem the flow of animals into the shelter through mandatory spay and neuter laws, this situation will not change- there are simply not enough homes to ever adopt our way out of this tragedy. In addition, it is healthier for pets to be spayed and neutered. It decreases the chance of certain cancers in dogs and lessens spraying, and marking and fighting. Many vets now perform spay and neuter on infant puppies and kittens. Please see your veternarian for more information I support the bill 100%. Sue, New Port Richey, FL Posted: 4/23/2009 12:06:02 AM