A Pet's View / July 2006
Cats Outside the Law
In June, Rhode Island became the first state requiring cat owners to spay or neuter their pets. Cat owners will be required to spay or neuter any cat older than six months or pay $100 for a breeder’s license. The fine for breaking the law is $75 per month.
The legislation is intended to reduce the number of cats and kittens that must be euthanized by private shelters or municipal pounds because of overpopulation.
Michelle Rudd, Director of the Humane Society of Parkersburg and a former Rhode Island resident considers the new law, “a historical, monumental step. I’m impressed that the state has become that progressive in handling the cat overpopulation problem.”
Michelle says, “People who are pet guardians certainly have rights concerning their pets. But responsibility for cat overpopulation has simply not been accepted by individuals. Every person who has a cat and doesn’t have the pet spayed or neutered simply becomes part of the problem.”
Although she applauds the intent of the new legislation, Michelle says enforcing it may prove the biggest challenge.
Similar legislation is not in the works for West Virginia, though legislation was passed last year requiring that all pets adopted from shelters be spayed and neutered. That has been the Parkersburg Humane Society policy for years.
This year, the state is considering legislation regarding the mobile spay/neuter van that provides sterilization procedures to pets of low income citizens, particularly in rural areas. SB 45 encourages the WV Vet Board to support the expanded use of a mobile spay neuter van. The Federation of Humane Organizations, a state-wide organization that promotes effective legislation on animal welfare says little follow up needed for simple spay neuter procedures though participants receive an 800 number to call along with a plan for follow-up care. Forty one other states utilize mobile spay neuter vans as part of their overpopulation control efforts.
Cat licensing has also been suggested, though Michelle believes it would have little effect on the cat population. She says, “Responsible pet owners will license their cats. Irresponsible cat owners will not. There are just not enough homes for the animals that are being born or abandoned every day.”
Across the state, shelter resources are limited. Property, volunteers and funding are always in short supply.
At the HSOP, Michelle says lack of space is a major concern. “It is very stressful for cats to be in the same room with dogs, and it quickly affects their health and their appearance which reduces their chances of being adopted.” The facility has just purchased adjoining property and Michelle says their plans include, “a separate cattery, in an entirely different building than the dogs.” But, what would help most she says, “ If companion animals were only bred for the purpose of improving the breed standard, like the purebreds who are shown nationally, not the backyard breeders who sell pets for money. It’s a very, very small percentage of breeding. The rest of the time, what cat owners can do to to help is spay and neuter their pets.”
Copyright © 2005-2006 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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