Bill Addresses “Tragedy of Pet Overpopulation”

A bill that will require California residents to spay or neuter their pets is up for vote in the State Assembly Appropriations Committee next week.

Senate Bill 250, also known as the Pet Responsibility Act, is a measure that seeks to reduce the number of unwanted pets and the need for pet euthanasia in California.

Passed in the California State Senate on June 2 by a vote of 21-16, the bill, proposed by Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez (D-Shafter), would require all dog owners to spay or neuter their pets or seek an unaltered dog license. Cat owners who allow their pets to roam outdoors will also be required to spay or neuter their furry companions.

According to the California Department of Health, the annual number of cats and dogs entering state municipal shelters rose from 729,238 to 835,642, or 14.6 percent, over the past five years. Since 2004, the number of pets euthanized also climbed 14.6 percent, from 378,445 to 432,512.

Ricky Whitman, Vice President of Community Resources for the Pasadena Humane Society, said the number of animals brought into the shelter has tripled over the last year.

“There are more animals bred than there are homes,” she said.

Whitman believes the Pet Responsibility Act will be helpful in curbing housing and euthanasia rates in California.

“Shelters across the state are overcrowded with cats and dogs,” she said. “If animals were spayed and neutered, this would not be the case and euthanasia would decrease. Spay and neuter is a weapon against the terrible tragedy of pet overpopulation.”

Euthanasia dropped by 60 percent in Santa Cruz after a similar ordinance was adopted, according to Florez’ office.

If passed, Senate Bill 250 may lead to a significant reduction in the need for euthanasia statewide, which will free up tax dollars for more constructive purposes, Florez believes. California taxpayers currently spend more than $250 million a year to euthanize a half million unwanted pets and shelter double as many.

“I think we can all agree that the quarter of a billion dollars we spend to house and kill unwanted pets could be much better spent protecting health care for the elderly and education for our children,” Florez said. “Those who own animals responsibly should be united in support of our effort to cut down on the killing of pets in shelters, the financial strain current policy has on local governments and the emotional toll on shelter workers.”

Under the current law, fixed dogs and cats are licensed at a reduced rate, while dogs and cats who are not spayed or neutered are licensed at a higher rate. Fees, costs, hearings and due process for tickets and licensing are determined by and held in accordance with local jurisdiction.

Senate Bill 250 will require dog owners cited for having an intact, unlicensed dog to spay or neuter their pet and obtain a license. Citations for owning an unaltered cat or dog can only be issued if the intact pet is concurrently cited for an additional violation. The bill also maintains that cats allowed outdoors must be spayed or neutered. Hunting and working dogs are exempted from the measure.

State Senator Carol Liu, whose district includes the city of Pasadena, was one of the 21 senators who voted in support of the Pet Responsibility Act. According to Robert Oakes, spokesman for Liu, the Senator considers the bill to be a reasonable measure for dealing with pet overpopulation in the state.

“California spends $250 million a year in taxpayer money to keep animals in shelters or euthanize them in those shelters,” Oakes said. “When pets aren’t fixed that contributes to this severe problem. This bill provides some protection for tax payers.”

The bill passed in the Assembly Business and Professions Committee on June 30. It moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, July 15.