Frequently Asked Questions about Mandatory Spay/Neuter

Does The Anti-Cruelty Society support mandatory spay/neuter?

How can you be against mandating a service you say you advocate for pet owners and for the animals in your care?

Won't a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance reduce euthanasia rates?

Haven't other cities successfully implemented spay/neuter programs?
There are cities that have implemented well-intentioned spay/neuter programs, but they have not been effective. For example:

• After a 1991 mandatory spay/neuter ordinance in San Mateo County, Calif., the mandatory ordinance discouraged pet owners from licensing their companion animal and dog licenses declined by 35 percent.
• Fort Worth, Texas ended its mandatory spay/neuter program after a reduction in rabies vaccinations led to an increase in reported rabies cases in that city. The mandatory ordinance discouraged responsible pet owners from taking their companion animals to the veterinarian for regular care, including immunizations for rabies that can kill animals and humans.
• Los Angeles recently passed a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. In review of the proposal, the City Controller found that the city lacks the strategy, funding, and management to effectively enforce the new ordinance and will rely on voluntary compliance.

Won't a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance reduce the stray pet population?
No, because the ordinance is not enforceable and therefore would have very little effect on the stray pet population. It also does not address overpopulation's core problem of irresponsible pet ownership.

 

Why isn't this ordinance enforceable?
Currently, the resources needed to effectively enforce this ordinance do not exist. If pet owners aren't willing to legally license their pet, which a vast majority are not, then they certainly won't spay or neuter their pet in order to follow the law.

When you say a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance won't combat the central problem of overpopulation due to "irresponsible pet ownership," aren't you referring to owners who wouldn't pay attention to your education outreach in the first place?
Oftentimes pet owners do not adequately care for their animals because they do not have the means to do so, not because they simply don't care about their animals. Our spay/neuter clinic provides low-cost services for pet owners to encourage participation and no cost services for those unable to afford the low cost - helping us expand our reach to help those who need it most.

Why do some shelters/humane organizations support this legislation? Aren't your organizations similar?
Unlike many other shelters, The Anti-Cruelty Society has an open door policy. We accept all animals in need, including those that would be considered unadoptable. In many cases, we have treated dogs and cats with medical or behavior issues until they are adoptable. The program is expensive to run, but we have a very high success rate, nearly 80 percent, helping these hard-to-place animals find a good home and thereby saving lives. Our programs are designed to address the core problem of dog and cat overpopulation by encouraging responsible pet ownership. A mandatory spay/neuter ordinance would do nothing to address this issue.

Why do veterinarians oppose the ordinance?
The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association and the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association oppose the ordinance because spay/neuter is a medical decision that needs to be assessed and evaluated by a veterinarian for each individual animal. As individuals responsible for the interest and well-being of the animals in their care, a mandatory medical decision would hinder their ability to act in the best interest of the animal's well-being.

• After a 1991 mandatory spay/neuter ordinance in San Mateo County, Calif., the mandatory ordinance discouraged pet owners from licensing their companion animal and dog licenses declined by 35 percent.
• Fort Worth, Texas ended its mandatory spay/neuter program after a reduction in rabies vaccinations led to an increase in reported rabies cases in that city. The mandatory ordinance discouraged responsible pet owners from taking their companion animals to the veterinarian for regular care, including immunizations for rabies that can kill animals and humans.
• Los Angeles recently passed a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. In review of the proposal, the City Controller found that the city lacks the strategy, funding, and management to effectively enforce the new ordinance and will rely on voluntary compliance.

Won't a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance reduce the stray pet population?
No, because the ordinance is not enforceable and therefore would have very little effect on the stray pet population. It also does not address overpopulation's core problem of irresponsible pet ownership.

Why isn't this ordinance enforceable?
Currently, the resources needed to effectively enforce this ordinance do not exist. If pet owners aren't willing to legally license their pet, which a vast majority are not, then they certainly won't spay or neuter their pet in order to follow the law.

When you say a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance won't combat the central problem of overpopulation due to "irresponsible pet ownership," aren't you referring to owners who wouldn't pay attention to your education outreach in the first place?
Oftentimes pet owners do not adequately care for their animals because they do not have the means to do so, not because they simply don't care about their animals. Our spay/neuter clinic provides low-cost services for pet owners to encourage participation and no cost services for those unable to afford the low cost - helping us expand our reach to help those who need it most.

Why do some shelters/humane organizations support this legislation? Aren't your organizations similar?
Unlike many other shelters, The Anti-Cruelty Society has an open door policy. We accept all animals in need, including those that would be considered unadoptable. In many cases, we have treated dogs and cats with medical or behavior issues until they are adoptable. The program is expensive to run, but we have a very high success rate, nearly 80 percent, helping these hard-to-place animals find a good home and thereby saving lives. Our programs are designed to address the core problem of dog and cat overpopulation by encouraging responsible pet ownership. A mandatory spay/neuter ordinance would do nothing to address this issue.

Why do veterinarians oppose the ordinance?
The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association and the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association oppose the ordinance because spay/neuter is a medical decision that needs to be assessed and evaluated by a veterinarian for each individual animal. As individuals responsible for the interest and well-being of the animals in their care, a mandatory medical decision would hinder their ability to act in the best interest of the animal's well-being.

The ordinance may also cause pet owners to avoid regular visits to their veterinarian as a way to circumvent the spay/neuter mandate, preventing pets from receiving rabies and other vaccinations vital to animal and human health.