Pet sterilization becomes law in LA

[Not Afraid]

LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Tuesday signed one of the nation's toughest laws on pet sterilization, requiring most dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered by the time they are 4 months old.

Complete article here.

[BarTopDancer]

Good. There are to many unwanted animals and pets in shelters as it is

Originally Posted by article

The ordinance does exempt some animals, including those that have competed in shows or sporting competitions, guide dogs, animals used by police agencies and those belonging to professional breeders.

The average pet owner, however, must have their dog or cat spayed or neutered by the time it reaches 4 months of age (as late as 6 months with a letter from a veterinarian).

[Alex]

I'm too lazy to look into it. What is the enforcement? Most people never register their dogs and, particularly, cats in the first place.

[cirquelover]

Originally Posted by Alex

I'm too lazy to look into it. What is the enforcement? Most people never register their dogs and, particularly, cats in the first place.

Here you go: First-time offenders will receive information on subsidized sterilization services and be given an additional 60 days. If they still fail to comply they could be fined $100 and ordered to serve eight hours of community service. A subsequent offense could result in a $500 fine or 40 hours of community service

[Sohrshah]

I'm torn about this new law. Yes, in the short run, it will keep many creatures from meeting horrible, untimely deaths. In the long run, it could create a scarcity of animals for people who want to own pets. Bred animals - particularly cats- are already very expensive. If drastically fewer animals are being born, them I do have some fear that having pets will become a luxury, and my heart breaks at that thought.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Sohrshah

I'm torn about this new law. Yes, in the short run, it will keep many creatures from meeting horrible, untimely deaths. In the long run, it could create a scarcity of animals for people who want to own pets. Bred animals - particularly cats- are already very expensive. If drastically fewer animals are being born, them I do have some fear that having pets will become a luxury, and my heart breaks at that thought.

I have thought about this in the past. I believe that there will be enough non compliance with this law that there will not be a shortage of animals. And if this law is successful, I am sure it would be relaxed at some point in the future if there really was a shortage.

[madmonkeygirl]

That is my biggest fear too. Right now the agency who hold dog adoptions on Sundays at the store the adoption fee is has increased to the point of not being able to afford adopting unless you have the $$$ to do so. With this new law the breeders will have the advantage of getting $$$$. Owning an animal now will only be for the rich whereas those who struggle financially won't be able to afford havig an aimal.

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by madmonkeygirl

Owning an animal now will only be for the rich whereas those who struggle financially won't be able to afford havig an aimal.

Surely you mean buying an animal now will only be for the rich. Owning one has always only been for the rich. It's very, very expensive to own and properly care for a pet.

[Sohrshah]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Surely you mean buying an animal now will only be for the rich. Owning one has always only been for the rich. It's very, very expensive to own and properly care for a pet.

Millions of Americans don't have health insurance and therefore cannot see a doctor. If its too good for humans, then it's hard to say that animals not brought to a vet regularly are being improperly cared for.

That said, I have only had health insurance for about a year of my adult working life. My pets have gone more regularly to vets than I have to doctors.

It was once considered kindness to feed and love a pet. Now you're a "bad" owner if you don't also provide it with expensive care way beyond what many PEOPLE get.

[madmonkeygirl]

Yes there are is a shelter right down the street from us but with this new law all the puppies except those by breeder will be sterile thus i foresee no more shelters with animals but then again maybe i'm wrong in my assumption. Since down the road the only way to get a dog is thru a breeder once all the dogs will be fixed.

But however especially with cats in my neighborhood and many others there are "strays" no one claims them and they are free to "roam" and when i walk the doggies everyday and at work i hear customers say there are so many strays out there. How can they pinpoint their owners when no one will claim them (they have no collars etc)? This will be the interesting thing in all of this plus this is LA only statewide only.