February 23, 2008

PALM BEACH CO., Fla. - Overwhelming populations in the animal shelters of one Florida county have prompted officials to make some major changes. Palm Beach County just enacted a mandatory spay or neuter ordinance for dogs and cats.

It’s one of the first ordinances of its kind in Florida. But across the nation last year, 32 other counties or cities considered similar “spay or pay” policies.

The new rules are being met with resistance from some pet owners and breeders.

The kennels at the Tri County Humane Society in Boca Raton Florida are often filled to the max.

“When we come in the morning, there are pregnant dogs tied to our fence, boxes of puppies, boxes of kittens on our driveway, on our laws,” said Jeanette Christos, Founder of the Tri County Humane Society in Boca Raton. “It’s very, very sad.”

TCHC is a no-kill shelter, but having to turn away pets because there’s no room often means they’ll end up in the hands of the Palm Beach County animal services; an agency that routinely has no option but to euthanize animals. Official statistics show the agency is destroying more than 16,000 animals each year.

“For instance, you will see a staff member taking the dog down the hall, it’s wagging its tail thinking it’s going on a walk, we’ll it’s going to the euthanasia room, and it’s going to be dead,” said Christos.

The new rules require all dog and cat owners in the county to sterilize their animals. If they choose not to, they will be charged, annually, for a $75 dollar permit and be required to sign an affidavit, a legal document, stating they will not breed their animals.

Owners like Judit Espina don’t agree with the county telling her she now must spay her dog.

“It should be private, especially if I take care of my dog properly,” said Espina. “If I don’t do it well, I have to do something about it or they have to do something about it. Because maybe later on I change my mind and I want to have dogs or something. What are they gonna do about it?”

The ordinance also places more restrictions on breeders. Many dog breeders and their national tried to stop the change, which commissioners voted on Tuesday. Through a statement on its Web site, the American Kennel Club urged its members to write the commissioners and voice their opposition.

The AKC believes the answer to overpopulation is strict enforcement of leash laws and other nuisance laws, saying that would prevent the accidental breeding of unwanted animals.

The mandatory sterilization ordinance will be accompanied by several free spay and neuter clinics in Palm Beach County. And a "Citizens Animal Patrol" would be created to help educate the public on the benefits of sterilizing their pets.

“I think it’s a great idea. I think there’s too many animals in animal hospitals that don’t have homes,” said Lisa LeVerrier, cat owner in Palm Beach Co. “And they needlessly get killed every year for no reason and the reason for it is that we have overpopulation due to not spaying and neutering early on.”

If the changes save one animal from falling to euthanasia in Palm Beach County; for people like Jeanette Christos, that’s a step in the right direction.

“I think it’s progress, if we can save one litter of puppies, one litter of kittens,” said Christos.

In the last year, lawmakers in 4 states considered state-wide mandatory sterilization laws. None passed. But similar legislation is expected to go before those 4 states again soon.

Tell us what you think under this story. Post your favorite pet videos at the zootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204