Let’s work to reduce the number of unwanted pets in South County
and California, but let’s do it in a reasonable, effective way. The
California Healthy Pets Act is not the right approach.
Draconian is the only word to describe AB 1634, the California Healthy Pets Act, that recently passed the state Assembly and now moves on to the state Senate.
The bill mandates that all dogs in California be spayed or neutered at age 4 months, with a few exceptions available only for purebred dogs. Decisions about pet health and which dogs should be bred should be made by pet owners in consultation with veterinarians, not by the state of California.
Many veterinarians have raised concerns that 4 months is too young for sterilization, and that it’s impossible to prescribe one ideal age for all animals.
Given the already low rates of compliance with much cheaper and easier licensing laws, it’s unrealistic to expect that compliance with this law will be any better.
It’s likely to be a lot worse. And without enforcement, this law will just be a headache for responsible, law-abiding pet owners and not even a consideration for the rest.
We understand that the pet overpopulation is a serious problem that leads to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of pets each year in animal shelters.
But this is a problem that’s best handled at the local level and with a less austere approach.
We suggest that city and county officials instead consider a voluntary program in which pet owners pay a fee sufficient to cover the cost of sterilization for their animal – perhaps $100 – and in exchange get a lifetime license for their dog or cat.
With this approach, county officials reduce the number of dogs and cats that contribute to the pet overpopulation program, cities can track the number of dogs and cats residing in their municipalities, and pet owners are freed from the hassle of renewing pet registrations year after year.
Let’s work to reduce the number of unwanted pets in South County and in California, but let’s do it in a reasonable, effective way.
The California Healthy Pets Act is not the right approach.
