When I was a kid, we were pretty broke- single mom, seven kids, etc. My animals brightened up my otherwise fairly dismal childhood. Money may have been tight, but we were always allowed to have pets. We didn't take them to the vet as often as we do now, yet somehow most of them lived long and happy lives. I know of people now who have very, very limited incomes but they have animals and take exceptional care of them. Maybe they value them even more because they haven't nothing else- I don't know. All I do know is that animals don't give a **** how much money someone has; they just want a home and love.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how they enforce the new law. For the record, I believe in spaying, neutering and keeping your animals indoors, except for walkies and such. (Even our big dog is an indoor dog).

I haven't added up what we spend on average, but we get a whammy every few months or so (averaging between $700 and $1500. Dental alone is $230 per pet per year. Revolution is $150 per pet, per year. Add regular vaccinations and the cost of food, letter, treats and accessories and it adds up.

At that price, you should be able to claim them as dependents on your tax return! :eek:

I think that both dogs and cats should be indoor animals. My cats don't go outside, period. Thurston is never outside without a leash (unless the area is fenced) and he is completely covered for fleas and the VERY dangerous Heartwoom as well as the standard vaccinations. He also gets regular fecals because he is around so many other dogs.

Regarding enforcement, I'd equate it to building codes. When my parents bought their home, the official data said it was a certain square footage, but the house was obviously much bigger than this. It also claimed there was a carport, but instead there was a garage (which we later discovered, was built right on top of the old carport beams). The previous owners, probably many owners ago, had done renovations without applying for permits, so the official documents were all wrong. They broke the law, but who would catch them? Unless there were somthing like an insurance claim, or you had nosy tattletale neighbors, there'd be no reason for the gov't to know. This isn't proof that building codes are bunk - they're actually there for good reason - but it's not like there's a building codes police that goes around busting people.

Just because there isn't much in the way of enforcement doesn't make it a pointless law. I wouldn't worry at all about running out of strays. Not everyone is going to race out and get this done to their pets. Not everyone is going to register their dog or cat. There are going to be thousands and thousands who don't. Even so, this will get a lot more people to do the right thing. And as NA said, if pet homelessness and neglect vanishes, it's time to celebrate.

Yup.

We spend $100 per month on electricity alone for our dragons. I don't want to know the total for pet care.

We live a bit too close to savage nature in all it's glory: in our hood alone, we have gangs of coyotes, a wildcat, hawks and a bunch of owls. Outdoor animals don't last long, particularly smallish ones. One interesting thing- we've never had a flea problem, with any of our animals. Ever. You'd think they'd pick up one just romping about the yard, but so far nada. Maybe it's our climate, not that I'm complaining.:D

In our neighborhood, we have coyotes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, falcons, hawks and careless drivers.;)

And her neighborhood has this really mean looking Pitbull with the head the size of a prize-winning pumpkin.
:eek:

It does?

Is it the silver/blue one?