Comments: Animal crusader takes on overcrowded animal shelters

“Well, now that the Spay Neuter bill is to become law, the State Legislature had to adjust the California Broke Budget to include $300,000 more for Animal Shelters to take care of the increased influx of abandoned animals because pet owners can't afford the surgery. Again unintended consequences of this social engineering project that has minimal support in fact. SFreptile” — sfreptile, Aug 28 2009

“I would like to see the bill back in action. Todays date is 10-10-08 and I dont know at this time if there is anything in the works to try again. I am a dog breeder and I care about the animals first, I only breed them because I love them so much and want to make it possible for other lovers of my breed to have one. I only have a few at a time. I think I saw that breeders could still breed if they did what was required of them. I am for that. I am only concerned about all the animals out there without homes that someone carelessly created. I go to great length to educate and inform possible puppy buyers what they can expect and try to help them decied if this is right for them. Many times i have talked people out of a puppy from me. I think that people should give animals credit, they do have a brain! They are so smart. There are many people that think of them as their kids and that is great but to the ones who dont, please start thinking of them that way and would you abondon your kids and not think another thing about them? In my opinon anyone against the bill only cares about money and would probably are thae type who would sell their children if they could get enough money for them. I want to see it in action again. As I read, CA sets the stge for the rest of the country. I think it would be great for the idea to sweep across the country. AKC, if you really cared about animals you would be for this.” — pjk_holloway3, Oct 10 2008

“If these damn "greedy" apartment owners would allow more tenants to keep their dogs with them, we could adopt more animals from the shelters. We cannot hardly pay their high-flying rents, and then they want to keep us from being able to own a pet. I'm mad as HELL about this! We don't have to spay or neuter animals..., it's the "greedy" apartment owners who want more money for their apartments and don't care about their tenant's happiness. Shirley, Van Nuys, CA ” — suninmars, Oct 03 2008

“Judie Mancuso did not craft the original text of the California Spay Neuter Ordinance. In fact, once Judie became involved with the project, it went downhill. Isn't it ironic that her own home town doesn't have a spay/neuter ordinance, nor does any city where she has resided in the past ten years! She's manager to alienate a passel of the media and former supporters. Judie -- please leave the important issues ot others! ” — leestevens19..., Sep 06 2008

“This bill NEEDS to be passed!! I am so sick of seeing the shelters packed full because people won't be responsible for animals. Do you know how much money it costs to euthanize all those animals? It's not free! Altering is not cruel to the animals; allowing them to have litter after unwanted litter that continue to reproduce and end up in shelters to be euthanized is cruelty! It's not unhealthy either. If we start fining these people, who knows, maybe it will lower our gas prices! Wishful thinking, I know, but if we reduce the number of animals being euthanized it will definitely save money. Something needs to be done. This has to stop. ” — Christy, Jul 08 2008

“this is a great idea...there are similar proposed ordinances in Dallas right now. Of course, breeders and the AKC are against it, only because those people have a financial interest in such laws not passing. Follow the money. If you follow what is ethically right, and not the money, you will find that preventing the millions of births of unwanted dogs and cats will reduce much suffering (no vet care, sitting in cages, eventual euthanasia, etc etc) for American pets. I urge everyone to support this and similar legislation around the United States for the animals...not for humans. For once, it's not about us...it's about reducing the suffering of animals in this country. ” — mcevans, Apr 21 2008

“You are unable to do math if you think this will save the taxpayers money. It is going to cost big time. Taxpayers and pet owners will pay and pay. It will be a particular hardship for lower income pet owners. And, by the way, neutered animals are not necessarily healthier.
” — luvsbt, Mar 26 2008

“You know what I agree with you Debbie that it is far too easy for these people just to drop them off because they have grown out of the cute puppy stage or they are moving. We have become so much of a fast food throw away society that some people need to get a lesson on responsibility and morality before accepting the responsibility of owning a dog or cat in the first place. They are living things and should not be taken lightly. ” — smitte21, Mar 19 2008

“Intact animals have a higher risk of cancer and/or aggression than sterilized animals. Sterilizing at a young age does cause risk. There's no doubt or question about that. BUT how high is that risk? Is it worth killing 10,000, 100,000 animals because people are careless or don't care?

Shelters really have a responsibility to provide solutions to those people who feel a need to rehome an animal. Is it a simple obedience problem? Is it housetraining? Can services be supplied for this at low cost or no cost?

It's too easy to "dump" a dog or cat because "I'm moving," or "I don't have time." Until this mindset is changed, I say sterilize everything on 4 legs (some on 2 legs) if there is no responsible guardian willing to realize these are living creatures and take appropriate responsibility.

I'm not talking to responsible breeders. I'm talking ABOUT the backyard breeders making a buck on the back of their dog whose pups end up (eventually) in a shelter.

” — debbie, Mar 05 2008

“The biggest problem with this bill is that it never comes close to addressing the problem of why dogs/cats are in shelters.

Most of the cats going into shelters are from feral litters. No one owns them, thus this bill will do very little to reduce the feral cat population.

Talk to any animal rescue and see why people drop dogs off at shelters. Medical problems owner's do not wish to deal with, behavioral problems owner's do not want to deal with (and in most cases caused). The bill does nothing to address why animals are coming into shelter. In some areas around CA they actually intake animals from other shelters world wide.

There are also medical consideraions this bill ignores concerning spaying a neutering at such a young age. These issues include increased risks for cancer and aggression.

I would rather see the doubling of fees for keeping an intact dog, and stricter enforcement of licensing requirements.
” — ckranz, Feb 29 2008

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