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16 <br />12 <br />an increasing incidence of SIN pets. There is evidence that sterilizing at -risk populations of <br />companion animals such as animals in shelters can contribute to reduction in pet <br />overpopulation. The ASPCA does support the mandatory sterilization of shelter animals and <br />certain individual, owned animals based on their or their owners' behavior, such as animals <br />repeatedly caught at large. <br />ii. AVMA Policy: Dog and Cat Population Control (no date). The AVMA believes that <br />state and local governments must evaluate their needs and resources to develop appropriate and <br />effective dog and cat population control programs, including prohibiting the sale or adoption of <br />intact dogs and cats by humane organizations and animal control agencies, and requiring <br />permanent identification through microchipping. <br />C. Medical Pros /Cons of SIN as per AVMA News May 15, 2009: <br />i. Pros include prevention of unexpected litters, reduced incidence of some cancers and <br />reproductive diseases, and prevention and amelioration of certain undesirable behaviors. <br />ii. Cons include potential health problems such as an increased risk of prostatic cancer in <br />males, increased risks of bone cancer and hip dysplasia in large -breed dogs associated with <br />sterilization before maturity, and increased incidence of obesity, diabetes, urinary tract infections, <br />urinary incontinence, and hypothyroidism.. <br />5. Suggested reasons why pet owners may not want to SIN their animals: <br />A. Medical reasons: Including risks of morbidity and mortality associated with preexisting <br />medical conditions, risk of infection, risk of complications due to anesthesia, medical risks of SIN <br />as outlined above. <br />B. Concerns regarding decreased performance (working dogs, hunting dogs, dogs used in agility <br />training, etc.) <br />C. Desire to show dog (must be intact) <br />D. Desire to breed dog <br />E. Personal/cultural preference <br />F. Cost <br />G. Concerns about behavioral /personality changes <br />6. Orange County Animal Services data collected by Animal Services staff regarding stray cats and <br />dogs: <br />A. In 2011, based on all intakes minus surrenders and ferals, 27 % of stray dogs were recovered <br />by owner, 5% of stray cats were recovered by owner. <br />B. Stray cat and dog recoveries from January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011. Dogs: Of 626 stray <br />recovered dogs total, 571 (91 %) were recovered once, 44 (7%) were recovered twice, 10 (2 %) <br />were recovered three times, 0 were recovered 4 times, 1 was recovered five times (0 %). Cats: Of <br />82 stray recovered cats total, 79 (96 %) were recovered once, 3 were recovered twice (4 %). <br />7. Future considerations: <br />A. Microchipping. The committee has found excellent support in the literature as well as in local <br />and national practice for microchip placement in stray animals prior to reclamation by <br />owner. We are moving towards a recommendation that all stray animals must be microchipped at <br />the owner's expense prior to return to owner. The $25.00 microchip fee would be in addition to <br />rabies, licensing, impoundment, and boarding fees that apply. Medical exceptions would be <br />considered. Payment installment plans would be an option for owners. <br />B. Mandatory SIN of animals repeatedly turned in as strays and returned to owners. This issue is <br />complicated. Currently, no local animal control organizations that we identified have in place a <br />