AB 1634 will require spaying/neutering of pets

California’s Assembly is pushing through AB 1634, which will require mandatory spaying/neutering of dogs and cats over 4 months of age unless the owner purchases an “intact animal permit.”

The problem that we have within the domesticated animal pet community in California and elsewhere in this country is caused by irresponsible ownership. For example, there are dog and cat owners who just leave their pets in their old neighborhoods when they move from one residence to another – they just abandon them! There are owners who take their pets to areas miles from home and put them out of the car – they abandon them! There are people who will take a litter of young kittens or puppies and abandon them. These same people can be expected to ignore any requirement that a State Legislative body may enact to spay or neuter animals.

Then there are those pet owners who are responsible about their pets. Their pets are treated like members of the family. They take them to veterinarians for immunization shots and for health reasons. Some of them register their dogs with the American Kennel Club and cats with Cat Fancier associations and take part in showing them for championship titles. When they have litters, they search for good homes for their animals.

These are the responsible pet owners who will be hurt by Legislative laws to spay and neuter animals. In order to continue to have their pets they will now be required to pay for a State license in order to be allowed to keep their pets intact. How much will the fees be? $500? Will they be automatically OK’d? We don’t know. What do you think?

The end result is additional expense for the responsible people, while the irresponsible owners will thumb their noses at the State and continue on as they always have. Of course, the State will increase its revenue while it is unable to enforce the new requirements on irresponsible people who will continue their old practices.

Is that all this is – a revenue increase bill? Where’s the justice?

Arthur Danell

Taxpayers for Responsibility in Government