What do you think of the California Healthy Pets Act?

Most of those type of bills are written by people who don’t really understand them. All pets who are not being used in strict breeding program by people who understand the breed and their health issues, should be spayed. Most breeders require a spay/neuter and limited AKC registration on show or performance puppies. Most good breeders screen their dogs for health issues. You can start by fining those who don’t.

Requiring expensive breeding licenses isn’t going to stop the poor breeders. They will still breed poor dogs anot not be responsible. However, breeders who do try ot do it the right way, may stop breeding. After obtaining a championship, doing health screenings, paying a stud fee, etc. there are many breeders who are lucky to break even on the cost of a litter. Not make as much money as people think.

Back yard breeders get around this by going to different registration organizations. Then they say their dogs are ABC, SOS, EEE registerable. Those organizations were only formed to take money, not police the breeders.

A mandatory bill is wrong. There are other ways to deal with this. The bad breeders will still breed and black market the puppies for more. They also will not be responsible for puppeis throughout their lives. A way to start would be to require all puppies be mirco-chipped. Those to end up ion rescues or shelters could be taxed or fined, or written a ticket. Why penealize everyone for some of the rotten apples who want fifi or fido to have puppies with no clue what they are doing. It wouldn’t solve the problem but it would be a start.

There are good and bad breeders out there. The funny thing is that the people never try hard enough to find you when they want a puppy but find you when they need to dump their dog off on you.

This is so much like gun laws. There are some people who totally oppose guns being in the hands of anyone. And then there are people who say it is their right. I work in a shelter and see so much that the average person doesn’t see. I’d like everything with 4 legs (sometimes 2 legs) to be spayed or neutered. BUT—just like the gun laws, who suffers? Do they accomplish what they were designed for? We want the guns out of the hands of criminals. Will those criminals register their guns? Absolutely not. The only ones who suffer are the law abiding people who WILL register their guns and be responsible. I never thought I would say this but maybe making something manditory is not the solution. Maybe the human race has got to be stunned and shamed into doing the right thing. Low-Cost and No-Cost spaying and neutering programs have proven to increase animal sterilizations and “accidental” litters. Vets should feel a duty to sterilize animals at greatly reduced prices so that the average person can afford to do the right thing. And then those backyard breeders wanting to make a fast buck need to feel shunned by their community for animal slavery. Pet stores shouldn’t be allowed to “sell” those cute little puppies but instead point their finger at the nearest shelter and let people know about the fabulous dogs waiting for homes. Can it be done? I would like to think it can.

In response to Debbie – you are right on.

Why punish the law-abiding citizen? We need to enforce the laws we have already regarding dogs and people. A new law on mandatory spay/neuter is absurd! I also believe in punishing “deeds not breeds!”

Respectfully submitted -