There’s a new bill, still in its puppy stage, that may provide a few more teeth to gnaw away at the problem of pet overpopulation. It’s titled SB 250, the Pet Responsibility Act, and is being designed to tie in to the state licensing laws.
SB 250 is authored by Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez (D-Shafter) and sponsored by SCIL. Briefly, it requires that dogs 6 months old and up be spayed or neutered, unless their owners obtain an unaltered dog license—in the instances of licensed breeders, for example. Cats 6 months or older must be spayed or neutered if the owner allows the cat to roam outdoors (in Long Beach, all cats 4 months or older must be spayed and neutered, ferals excepted, according to Animal Regulation Code 6.16.085.
The bill number was chosen because over $250 million dollars is spent annually on sheltering and destroying cats and dogs in California. According to the State Department of Public Health, approximately 1 million animals enter California shelters each year, and nearly one out of every four dogs and two-thirds of the cats are ultimately euthanized. Among the 510,000 animals who are put to sleep every year, 25–30 percent are purebred and 95 percent are unaltered.
“The fact that pets are not required to be spayed and neutered statewide causes massive unwanted breeding and a major pet overpopulation crisis,” said Judie Mancuso, founder of SCIL and the sponsor of the bill. “This new bill will not only help save the lives of millions of loving animals—it will also help save money for California taxpayers. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
The bill will be tied into the dog-licensing law and will require that dogs be spayed or neutered unless their owner/guardian obtains an unaltered dog license when they license their animal. Dog licensing was first mandated in 1957 in order to track rabies outbreaks and to gain revenue for animal services. Differential licenses—special licenses at higher cost for unaltered dogs whose owners met certain qualifications—were introduced. The difference in fees (Long Beach’s are $20 for altered pets and $90 for unaltered) is twice as much as it would cost to get an animal fixed at a low-cost clinic and is an incentive to get the pet altered. SB250 will also require that roaming cats be spayed and neutered by their owner/guardian. Long Beach’s mandatory all-cat spay/neuter law would supersede that of roaming cats only.
For explanation and development of SB250 and to support the bill, click here.
Okay, a couple of things. First, we worry about being able to enforce laws such as the one SB 250 proposes, and that’s unfortunate. Budgets are being slashed, and we have no idea what statewide priorities will be, although John Keisler, Long Beach Animal Care Services’ (ACS) bureau manager, said that ACS supports “any legal tools that promote responsible pet ownership, public safety and the humane treatment of animals.” He added that, although he couldn’t speculate on what resources would be needed to fully enforce a mandatory spay and neuter law, he stressed the need to reduce the number of animals that are impounded annually. (In 2008, over 11,000 animals were housed and cared for at ACS), and equally stressed the need for community involvement.
As a further and nonpunitive incentive, Long Beach has a voucher plan for low-cost spay/neuter available through ACS that will also help to reduce pet overpopulation. HSUS noted that the number of shelter euthanizations is on the rise and would undoubtedly have be further exacerbated by, as a March 24 Press-Telegram editorial put it, yanking back L.A.’s own free/low-cost spay/neuter program during an economy in which a good number of people, if they can afford to even feed their pets, are eating out of the same cans. Reportedly, the Los Angeles City Council and scores of animal activists offered L.A. Department of Animal Services general manager, Ed Boks, a plate of the same sentiment with garnishes of wrath and righteous indignation; Boks, tail between his legs, reinstated the voucher plan.
Second, we know that we may get comments of “Nanny state,” “Don’t legislate my behavior” and “Why are we wasting time on a bunch of animals when people are in trouble?” We feel that, when people are too irresponsible or feckless to take care of their own business, the government winds up minding it for them. In our column, we report how pet overpopulation in our shelters and the existence of feral cat colonies are caused by irresponsible acts of human beings. To put this into a global (and perhaps metaphorical) context, the same acts of laziness and sense of entitlement that leave pets unneutered and breeding like rabbits—rabbits included—mirror those that let people drive under the influence until a tragedy occurs, max out their credit cards and leave bills unpaid, and give us the economic mess we’re now all in. Until pet owners take some responsibility for their animal companions, we’ll support bills like SB 250.
“I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being.”
—Abraham Lincoln
Other Animal-Related Bills in the Making
AB 241: The Responsible Breeder Act of 2009 (Assemblymember Pedro Nava)
Pet overpopulation is exacerbated in part by backyard breeding, “oops litters (sorry, Ma, I forgot to give Gertie the talk before she went outside),” international smuggling and pet stores. This bill targets California puppy mills, in which breeding dogs (generally) suffer in filthy, crowded conditions so that the owners can make a profit, generally selling to those pet stores, of which we have a number in Long Beach. This law limits the number of intact cats or dogs a seller can maintain to 50. Click here for details. Meanwhile, adopt your buddy from a shelter or rescue.
Events
Ongoing Pet Food Drive at Neighborhood Resource Center
The Neighborhood Resource Center in tandem with Food Finders is collecting both pet and people food for needy families. Bring what you can to the NRC office at 425 Atlantic Ave., (562) 570-1010.
April 11, Bunny Bash at Wiskers
Pet Photo Pros and Wiskers are sponsoring an Easter celebration featuring goodies and a Best-Dressed for Easter photo contest, with your dog, of course (or whatever little beastie has the patience to dress up in Easter Sunday best). Judges include Justin Rudd of Community Action Team and countless other events; Debra Van Duren, owner of Mood Swings Jewelry; and Bonnie Sheehan, the Hearts for Hounds Angel. The event runs between 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Call (310) 294-0197 or visit Wiskers at 4818 E. 2nd St., Long Beach for info.
April 16, Friends of Long Beach Animals ‘Benefit for the Animals, Long Beach Playhouse
Join Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) for a delightful April evening at the Long Beach Playhouse and help get out the word about spay/neuter and humane education at the same time. Enjoy a 7:30 performance of Sabrina Fair, a romantic love-triangle comedy set in the bon-vivant atmosphere of 1950s Long Island, New York. The event also includes a reception at 6:30, with an hors d’oeuvres spread and chocolate goodies of all sorts (including pretzels) for intermission dessert; a reception bar; piano entertainment by Ralph Brunson; and door prizes, including FOLBA’s famous Dine-out Package, with a value of $369. Dr. Loren Eslinger, the veterinarian for Long Beach Animal Care Services, will be honored as the 2009 Hero to Animals. Tickets $25 on a donation basis; available at the following locations:
• Belmont Pets and LaunderPet, 3429 E. Broadway, (562) 433-3605
• Bixby Knolls LaunderPet, 4102 Orange Ave. # 113, (562) 427-2551
• Go Dogs Go, 3440 N. Los Coyotes Diagonal, (562) 421-9797
• Seal Beach LaunderPet, 318 Main St., Seal Beach, (562) 430-7196
Wiskers, 4818 E. 2nd St., (562) 433-0707
Or call FOLBA at (562) 988-SNIP (7647)
Email: [email protected]
The Playhouse is located at 5021. E. Anaheim St. in Long Beach.