Should Owners Spay And Neuter Their Pets?
Many pet owners have been asking their veterinarians and other owners whether or not they should be spaying and neutering their pets. Those in Volusia County, Florida are adamant about this subject and believe that owners need to be sterilizing their pets. In fact they have made this the first jurisdiction in Central Florida.
The ordinance, while controversial, has “limited bite,” the Orlando Sentinel reports. When it takes effect in September it will be enforced only through complaints, and there are lots of exemptions. The ordinance, designed to reduce the number of unwanted animals, relies heavily on people to comply voluntarily.
Similar laws have been considered across the country in recent years, and are generally opposed by breeders, who argue that they are unconstitutional because it unfairly targets responsible pet owners and could put animals’ health at risk. Breeders and some others will be exempt from the Volusia County law.
Representatives from shelters applauded the County Council’s move. It comes at time when the shelters are overrun with kittens. At Halifax Humane Society in Daytona Beach, more than 11,000 animals were euthanized in the past fiscal year, said Mel Stack, president of the animal shelter’s board.