Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Wel <br />24 <br />Mandatory Spay/Neuter Programs for Stray Dogs and Cats <br />1. ASPCA Position Statement on Mandatory Spay/Neuter Laws (no date). <br />a. Research indicates that per capita shelter intake and euthanasia rate declines are due to an <br />increasing incidence of spayed and neutered pets. <br />b. The ASPCA is not aware of any credible evidence demonstrating a statistically <br />significant enhancement in the reduction of shelter intake or euthanasia as a result of the <br />implementation of a mandatory spay /neuter law. <br />c. There is evidence that sterilizing at -risk populations of companion animals such as <br />animals in shelters can contribute to reduction in overpopulation. <br />d. Cost is one of the primary barriers to spay/neuter surgery. Low household income and <br />poverty are statistically associated with having a sexually intact cat, with relinquishment <br />of pets to shelters, and with shelter intake. <br />e. The ASPCA does not support mandatory spay/neuter laws for all cats and dogs. The <br />ASPCA does support the voluntary, affordable spay/neuter programs for owned pets. <br />2. New JC. Characteristics of shelter - relinquished animals and their owners compared with animals <br />and their owners in U.S. pet - owning households. Journal of 14ppl red ,4nmal Welfare Science <br />2000;3:179 -201. <br />a. Animal relinquishment was associated with physical and behavioral characteristics of the <br />animals and owner characteristics and knowledge. Relinquished animals were more <br />likely to be intact, younger, and mixed breed. <br />3. AVMA. News May 15, 2009. AVMA: Mandatory spay/neuter a bad idea. <br />a. The AVMA policy on "Dog and Cat Population Control" has been revised to express the <br />Association's non - support for regulations or laws mandating spay/neuter of privately <br />owned, non - shelter dogs and cats. <br />b. Prevention of unexpected litters, reduced incidence of some cancers and reproductive <br />diseases, and prevention and amelioration of certain undesirable behaviors have been <br />documented as benefits to spaying/neutering dogs and cats. However, potential health <br />problems associated with spaying and neutering have also been identified, including an <br />increased risk of prostatic cancer in males, increased risks of bone cancer and hip <br />dysplasia in large -breed dogs associated with sterilization before maturity, and increased <br />incidence of obesity, diabetes, urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, and <br />hypothyroidism. <br />4. AVMA Policy: Dog and Cat Population Control (no date). <br />a. The AVMA does not support regulations or legislation mandating spay/neuter of <br />privately owned, non- shelter dogs and cats. Although spaying and neutering helps <br />control dog and cat populations, mandatory approaches may contribute to pet owners <br />avoiding licensing, rabies vaccination, and veterinary care for their pets, and may have <br />other unintended consequences. <br />