NAIA Blog

California Assembly Member Levine has introduced AB 1634, inappropriately named the “California Healthy Pets Act.” The proposal requires all dogs and cats in California to be neutered by the age of four months, or their owners will face punitive fines and penalties. AB 1634 Is Bad Health Policy for Animals – Neutering pets by the age of four months is poor health policy for many animals. Modern veterinary research questions the propriety of neutering animals too early, due to concerns about adverse behavioral issues and increased risks of cancer and other diseases. The decision whether to neuter a pet, or when, should be made by pet owners with the advice of their veterinarians, not by politicians. Pet lovers who believe neutering is not in their pet’s best interests may avoid other important health care, like vaccinations and periodic exams, because they fear the heavy penalties under this law. This will be detrimental to public health if it deters the public from obtaining necessary rabies inoculations and reduce licensing compliance. No More Purebred Cats or Dogs in California - The bill provides a complex exception for show animals that no cat or dog in California can meet. For example, it requires that by the age of four months a cat or dog must have competed in a “legitimate show.” Dogs must be at least SIX MONTHS of age to compete in sanctioned events so this is an impossible test to meet. The proponents of AB 1634 have carefully crafted both versions of the proposal so that the future of show cats and dogs in California is doomed. Reputable Breeders Are Not the Problem –Reputable breeders already adhere to national Codes of Ethics that requires that their “pet” offspring be neutered as a condition of sale and that their “show” offspring be developed as potential outstanding specimens of their breed. Their offspring DO NOT become part of the abandoned animal population. California Pet Buyers Will Be Harmed - AB 1634 will cause fewer good quality pets to be available from California breeders to California pet buyers, but it will not diminish the public's demand for pets. By discouraging local breeders, the demand will be met from other sources. Some California shelters are already importing pets from overseas for adoption and puppies are smuggled into California from Mexico every day to meet current demand. Unwanted Pet Population Will Not Be Reduced – Most owned cats are sterilized, as high as 92% in some studies. Many of the cats euthanized by shelters come from the free roaming/unowned cat population. These wild, unowned cats will not be affected by a new law. Reputable dog breeders reclaim their unwanted or abused offspring so they do not become part of the “unwanted pet” problem. Dogs from irresponsible, often out-of-state, breeders too often end up unwanted and euthanized. Those breeders will not be subject to, or comply with, any new law. This Law Will Burden Local Shelters - AB 1634 is an unfunded mandate on local government. It will only further burden counties and municipalities and divert limited resources that would be better utilized elsewhere. The cost of enforcement will be high and California taxpayers will ultimately pay for this legislation. Jurisdictions that have imposed unaltered dog/cat licensing and breeder permits have found them to be costly and unenforceable.

Dear bratskats,

What a wonderfully written blog! I know this is old news, but I just finished reading Ms. Strand's article at http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_7172876. Ms. Strand's rebuttal to Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, was also a wonderful "must read" article.

I have a small goat farm with 3 Livestock Guardian Dogs. One is intact. You touched on so many good points, that I am going to send a bunch of folks to read your article. I think a lot of people do not stop and consider all the necessary points before voting on issues.

 
Thank you, dadsgal