Pet sterilization becomes law in LA

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by 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.

Rescue groups are privately funded (usually by the members of the group) and their adoption fee barely (if ever) covers the cost of getting the animal ready for adoption. If there ever comes a day when there is no NEED to rescue groups, then I think we need to celebrate.

State, city or county funded shelters are OVERFLOWING with animals who need to be adopted. Calliope cost me $98 to adopt and she was already sterilized. Most shelter will kill an animal after so many days of not being adopted. Last year LA County euthanized approximately 15,000 at a cost of $2 million. If we EVER get to a point where there are homes for every animal and the shelters are empty, then we can celebrate.

There will NEVER be a time when there are no pets to adopt - even with the sterilization law in effect..


How this will be enforced is a mystery to me. "Breaking the law" certainly doesn't have the stigma it once had, so there will always be unsteralized dogs and cats to adopt. However, if this cuts down on the numbers of cats and dogs that are able to breed, then I'm all for it.


As for affording a pet - if you don't have the money to care for a pet (average cost is about $1,500 per year) then you shouldn't have a pet. Veterinary care is expensive. Beyond initial cost of sterilization, there is cost for flea control, vaccinations, heartworm prevention, dental care, grooming, and illness and injury care in addition to food. This all adds up (believe me, I know).

The next step would be to address the issue of back yard breeders. In Long Beach, a breeder must have a permit to breed. Agai, I'm not sure how this is enforced, but it's a good step.