Missouri Mulls Animal Rights Law WVC Enhancements Include Exhibit Hall Park, Zumba Workouts Vermont Ponders Pet Death Damages Bill Pfizer’s FFA/AABP Support Program Returns Today Merck to Relocate Animal Health HQ to U.S.

California Spay/Neuter Bill Defeated

California Senate Bill 250, which would have required spay or neuter surgery for most of the state’s dogs and cats, failed passage in the State Assembly this week on a vote of 28-40. SB250 had moved to a third reading in mid-August after being shelved as inactive for almost a year.

The aim of the bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, was to help curb pet overpopulation. SB250 would have called on cat owners to spay or neuter their cats at 6 months of age if the cats were allowed to roam at large. The bill also would have required the sterilization of all dogs at 6 months old unless the owner got an unaltered-dog license.

In addition, SB250 would have required anyone who sells or adopts out an intact dog, regardless of the dog’s age, to provide the licensing agency with the name and address of the new owner within 10 days. The bill had a list of other requirements as well.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council and the American Kennel Club, both long-time opponents of the bill, sent out media alerts Wednesday lauding the outcome.

“PIJAC has consistently opposed state-enacted mandates for sterilization of pet animals,” PIJAC said in its alert. “The decision to sterilize is one that should be made on a case-by-case basis by pet owners after consultation with their veterinarian, and pet owners should not be subject to punitive fees to keep their pet intact. Pet overpopulation is a complex issue that cannot be solved with a one-size-fits-all mandate.”

The AKC also reaffirmed its stance.

“AKC thanks the many federations, clubs, fanciers and responsible dog owners who took the time to call and write their legislators throughout this process,” the AKC said in its alert.

To view the bill, click here.

 Give us your opinion on
California Spay/Neuter Bill Defeated

Industry Professional Site: Comments from non-industry professionals will be removed.

i think this is a wonderful bill, AS LONG AS THERE IS AFFORDABLE (SOMETIMES THAT WILL MEAN FREE) SPAY NEUTER SERVICES FOR ALL PET OWNERS_ without the service in place this bill as those that have preceeded it with out affordable resources will fail- you are on the correct page PRODUCTION must be stopped - but please be sure to put the horse before the cart diane, boise, ID Posted: 9/19/2010 1:31:26 PM This bill needed to be defeated. We do not have an overpopulation issue in dogs; we have an issue with lost dogs not being returned to their owners. The solution is to make licensing accessible, affordable and attractive. it is not a coincidence that in California the licensing rate and the % of dogs returned to their owners is the same. Cathie, Sylmar, CA Posted: 9/3/2010 10:30:33 AM It was a good overview of SB 250, but I would like more details showing how this legislation would have criminalize good people. For example, if you had two minor animal control violations within an eight year span, you could never own an intact animal ever in your lifetime and would have to spay/neuter all of your animals. It also makes you a criminal if you feed a feral cat. I think Caifornia has many more problems. Also, I would liked to have it mentioned that the majority of people fighting this legislation have dogs that are spayed/neutered. It's about our freedom as Americans. Unfortunately, the health risk to dogs of this bill would have been horrible. Sue, Burbank, CA Posted: 9/3/2010 9:45:27 AM