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Fla. ‘Spay or Pay’ Law to Control Animal Pop.

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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.

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Chewbacca
Chewbacca
1 year ago
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I have friends who want to fix their beloved pets to ensure that there are no accidents. But the cost that is charged by the vets in our area, makes it difficult for them to afford it. Thankfully there are some low cost programs.
But I don't believe it should be a law. Just easier if you want to fix them!
 
Koronin
Koronin
1 year ago
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I agree with you totally. I do not think this should be a law. However, low cost spay neuter should be available in all areas. This plus help with transportation to get pets to the clinics would get a lot more animals fixed than having to pay what most vets charge.
 
nancy
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Why should people be allowed to let their pets overpopulate the community. Un-alterd pets are everyones problem. Diseases are spread, animals get hurt, and the list goes on. You don't have the right to be a menace to society.
 
petsmylife
petsmylife
1 year ago
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WE know just how the TCHC feels .There should not be a problem if you don't plan to breed your pet. It makes them healthier plus it would lessen the load just a little.
 
Laurie F.
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I think this is a good idea! There's too much animal over-population as it is! Animals with nothing wrong with them are having to be put to death simply because shelters are over crowded, and that's a shame. If you can't afford to have your pet sterilized than you can't afford to have a pet in the first place!!!!
 
Katrina S.
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I agree it is a good idea. However I think that there needs to be more spay and neuter clinics at reasonable prices. I adopted 3 stray kittens, actually they were WILD strays that we tamed. Then we took in another litter where the family was moving and just leaving the kittens to fend for themselves (totally irresponsible). So we were up to 9 then a momma and her 3 kittens decided to adopt us, up to 13. I was able to find homes for all but 9. They are outside cats,
so I figured if they were going to hang around then I was going to make sure they didn't keep multiplying. So I took them to the vet got their shots and had them fixed.... $1200.00 later..... That is TOTALLY ridiculous!!!! I called everyplace in our area and the neighboring cities and that was the cheapest for all of them and that was at a discount. Luckily I have a very understanding husband.
I know what you are thinking, "she is crazy". Maybe but I was taught that you either take care of the animals that come to you or you find them homes. I couldn't stand to think they would be put the death if I took them to a shelter.
I know most people don't take in that many cats. But that is $134.00 per kitten. Sure the spay/neuter averaged 50.00, then you add the shots, deworming, office visit, etc and it adds up.
Don't you think more people would get their animals fixed if they had cheaper options?
We just adopted 2 dogs from our area shelter which they came up to date on shots, dewormed, tested for heartworms and fixed for $105.00 each. I know they get discounts but why can't clinics offer lower prices to animal owners?
 
Koronin
Koronin
1 year ago
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I so totally agree. In my last job (restaurant closed, so I lost my job), I had a manager who had a kitten and wanted to get her spay but could not afford it. She was so thankful when I got her information for a low cost spay/neuter clinic. She had no idea it was there. Her cat was strictly indoors, but so it wasn't going to get pregnant, but she still wanted to get her fixed. I know she had an apt around the time the restaurant was closed, so I can only assume she followed through and got her cat spayed.
 
nancy
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I commend you, I have no problem with communities using tax dollars to offer low cost spay/neuter clincs. In my opinion it is money well spent.
 
roshell a.
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i do not like this idea at all.
 
sarah b.
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Very good idea!
 
WickedPineapple
WickedPineapple
1 year ago
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Judit Espina strikes me as an idiot. Letting this be a private decision is what has led to us having to kill so many animals. There are too many people who are irresponsible for that.
 
LnuncioHSNT
LnuncioHSNT
1 year ago
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i think its a good idea for at least every animal shelter to require sterilization on all adoptions.
 
Mandi
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Wow!!!!!!!! That's all I can say.
 
Tanya F.
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We are in a very overpopulated area and I think this should happen in many places across the US. Many people breed dogs for the wrong reason - the mother is too pretty to fix or feel their children need to see a birth before the dog is fixed and they give away the puppies to good homes for free but how do they know it is good homes. Many of those puppies don't get fixed and the process just continues. Please everyone spay and neuter your pet.
 
Mildred O.
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If owners aren't responcible then I think they should have to pay. I think it's a good law.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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sunnyranch
sunnyranch
1 year ago
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Hope it works......
 
Chancesboy
Chancesboy
1 year ago
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Why wouldn't you naturally do this unless you planned on breeding for business?
 
Jessica F.
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In Germany, for instance, many people don't see any benefit to spaying and neutering their animals. It is invasive surgery, and they take good care of their animals so there are fewer unwanted pregnancies. S/N is not the only option.
 
Melissa
Melissa (mevrooman)
1 year ago
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exactly!!! I always say that spay/neuter does not make you a responsible pet owner!! I feel it allows you to be a more careless pet owner!

Reproductive organs play a huge role in our lives, why wouldn't they in a pet as well??
 
WickedPineapple
WickedPineapple
1 year ago
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I agree it does allow one to worry less, not necessarily be careless. I would definitely spay my females to avoid them going through heat... which can be quite messy.
 
nancy
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I don't agree with Germany. They also have a unwanted pet problems as well don't be niave. Spay/ neuter is the only option. Accidents do happen, why do you think the shelters are full.
 
Sandyrose
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Too bad if people don't like having to pay a fine for not spaying/neutering their animal. If they are not going to register to become an official breeder, they have no business breeding dogs anyway, so what's the point of keeping your dog intact? Besides, S/N animals are, in the long run, healthier, less prone to certain illnesses (like enlarged and perhaps cancerous prostate in males, and infection and ovarian cancers in females). They are happier too, usually , because they are not subect to the stresses of their hormones urging them to breed when they are prevented from doing so. It's a no brainer.
 
jbwood61
jbwood61
1 year ago
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i can't believe any responsible pet owner wouldn't have their pet altered.
 
litlroo4737m
litlroo4737m
1 year ago
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All shelter animals are required to be spayed and neutered.
 
Christine M.
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Good! Im all for mandatory spay and neuter programs as long as they apply to everyone and all breeds.
 
Melissa
Melissa (mevrooman)
1 year ago
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yes we should spay/neuter every animal so there are no more pets in the world.....

If everyone spayed/neutered there would be no one to carry on the wonderful breeds we all love!
 
Koronin
Koronin
1 year ago
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In other words you want to see an end to companion animals. No thank you.
 
tammy u.
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i think all dogs that are not with an approved breeder should be spayed or neutered. walk through some animal shelters if you disagree.
 
Jessica F.
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Although animal shelters certainly see their share of purebred dogs, for the most part it is the mixed-breed dogs that get euthanized in shelters.

If people want to breed dogs they have a responsibility to make sure the puppies have good homes-- but it is their right to breed if they choose. We should be focusing on the responsibilty of breeding, instead of just dictating that nobody can breed.
 
Vickie S.
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A responsible pet owner would do this anyway..The problem is there are too many irresponsible pet owners who don't consider this a health issue but instead use the animals for profit.
 
Cassie N.
Cassie N. (cdneal)
1 year ago
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I think it should be a larger fine, and I think they should pass that law in every state.
 
Koronin
Koronin
1 year ago
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The people who don't follow animals laws now are not going to follow these and these will be almost impossible to enforce. How many people have dogs and don't bother to license them to begin with? How many have them and never take them to vet even for the required rabies shot? I'm sure that those numbers are very high. These are the same people who will ignore this law and let their pets keep reproducing. We do not need more laws. We need more education.
 
robinann
robinann
1 year ago
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People won't take responsibility and do it on their own - so this has to be done. Look how overcrowded our shelters are in this country! Something has to be done.
 
casper
casper
1 year ago
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This is a great idea. Some could argue, but someone has to be responsible for the pet population when pet owners are not.
 
Teresa C.
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I think mandatory spay/neuter is a pretty good idea when there is such a problem with pet over-population. I work for a kill shelter and although we try very hard to find good "forever" homes for all of the animals at the shelter, way to many times we have to euthanize simply because of lack of space. It's heart-breaking.
 
hmclark
hmclark
1 year ago
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People won't seem to do it on their own - look at the overflow in the shelters in this country! This needs to be done. I'm all for it.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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Gene K.
Gene K. (GeneK)
1 year ago
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This needs to be done - let Judit visit a few more overcrowded shelters, and spend a couple hours in the euthanasia room - she'll change her tune.
 
Amanda V.
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great solution! hope it works perfectly!
 
Wyoming County S.
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this is good but it may make more strays
 
Beaglepawz
Beaglepawz
1 year ago
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I don't see how.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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cupid
cupid
1 year ago
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Jeanette Christos should get a medal. I wish we could get the same law passed in every county, it would prevent so much suffering for men's best friend.
 
lambrhondal
lambrhondal
1 year ago
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After seeing the thousands in our community put to death, I am a strong proponent for spay/neuter. Until populations are better controlled, I think all communities need to take a closer look at this type of law.
 
Michelle H.
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Every state should have this law.
 
ajz4life77
ajz4life77
1 year ago
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I think if everyone were responsible then this wouldn't have to come about. But so many animals every year have to be put down. For not enough loving homes to lack of space in the county humane societies and other organizations that take in animals. I think that there is no other option. Thats just a sad thing to have to face, but its necessary.
 
barb
barb (TheDogLover1)
1 year ago
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Good for them! Ignore the AKC's ridiculous comment on keeping a dog on leash etc. They are only concerned about getting there registration fees. All large populated areas should have such a law.
 
Beaglepawz
Beaglepawz
1 year ago
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I agree that money motivates the AKC
 
queensanimalhelp
queensanimalhelp
1 year ago
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i agree with this mandatory law
 
Vivian P.
Vivian P. (Vep)
1 year ago
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I know it cost more for an unfixed pet in this area. And I agree It needs to be done everywhere
 
Beaglepawz
Beaglepawz
1 year ago
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So do I as long as there are low cost spay neuter clinics available.
 
Pasada
Pasada
1 year ago
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Judit 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?”

This really sounds like a woman who cares about her dog, doesn't it? "They'll have to do something about it." Hm. Like what? Kill all of those helpless puppies that your dog made because you felt like letting it happen. Bright woman. Really. This does really put the ignorant and selfish pet owner on display. I hope she's ashamed of how stupid and childish she appears to be.
 
Casey B.
Casey B. (Casey01)
1 year ago
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I think this might be a step in the right direction in getting animals homes and not making the pouplation bigger. Breeders who care about thier breed standards should not fight over the stricter policies, it means there are better breed representations out there.
 
jerZgirl
jerZgirl
1 year ago
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The only breeders that care about their breed(s) standard(s) will most likely not be able to afford or live up to USDA "mill" standards.

I don't know about you, but my dogs live in my house, not a crate with a grated floor. They eat the best food and are loved and cared for.

I know my house can never be a mass producing mill and I know better than to breed for money. I only breed if I want a puppy for myself-and I make sure I have enough space to possibly keep every puppy should the ones I sell come back to me (which is in a well written conyract that they DO) if the owners can't keep them anymore.
 
nancy
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I don't agree; if they can't afford the fee for a breeding liscense then don't breed. You have to be able tp pay for the unexpected medical care these dogs need. If people choose to breed their animals they must be able to pay for all that comes along with it. I am not saying that you are a bad breeder. But that is just the price one has to pay if they choose to breed.
 
Melissa
Melissa (mevrooman)
1 year ago
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Most responsible breeders do not breed multiple litters a year, they may not even have a litter but once every few yrs at the most.....

Responsible breeders breed when they are looking for their next show puppy..... they don't breed just to sell puppies.

Responsible breeders to not make $$$ off of a litter..... they have put in above and beyond the cost they may recoop from selling a few puppies into the care of their female, the cost of showing her, the cost of health testing her and caring for her.

You can easily spend thousands and thousands of dollars showing your dog in a yr. You can spend thousands more doing health tests to prove your dog is worthy of breeding.

I don't see why everyone thinks all breeders are in it for $$$ we are in it because we love the breed we have chosen. We want to see the breed live several generations down the line and to do our best to maintain the quality of health they currently have or to improve upon it.

It's the puppy millers and back yard breeders who are sticking any male and female to get 4 legged breathing animals to sell. They only care that the puppies live long enough to make it out their door and cash in!

I don't understand why so many people are against responsible breeders. We are the ones who truly care about the breed. We breed because we don't want the breed to die off, and we want quality healthy examples of the breed!! It's certainly not for $$$
 
Patrick B.
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It's a good idea in theory. I hope it can be carried out practically.
 
Lauren A.
Lauren A. (latkins)
1 year ago
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Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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megpop
megpop
1 year ago
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I think this is a pretty good idea. As someone else mentioned, though, I don't see how it can be enforced well. Of course, there will be people who just ignore the law, and these are the people already contributing the most to the overpopulation. I suppose it's worth a try, though. I hope it makes a difference!!!
 
sandi s.
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Great idea - all states should adopt this law
 
nancy2cats
nancy2cats
1 year ago
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Does anyone really believe the irresponsible people who let their animals breed unchecked are going to honor an ordinance mandating surgical steriization? Where will the money come from to hire people to enforce this new ordinance?
Perhaps passionate people - legions of volunteers - could spearhead educational outreach in the community? They could be the change they wish to see in their community - similar to the program Sue Sternberg started in upstate NY.
 
Monica B.
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I think it is a good idea, and other states should consider doing it as well. The pet over-population is a real problem in every state. Something has to be done differently to help to change this problem. I realize people don't like to be told what to do with their pets, but this is a real problem that needs the cooperation from the public, to enable there to be some kind of solution to it.
 
lgk
lgk
1 year ago
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I agree. People aren't being responsible, so laws are needed.
 
Angela D.
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EXCELLENT idea!!!
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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