Stop Killing our Companion Animals

HELP STOP DOG AND CAT OVERPOPULATION PETITION FOR MANDATORY SPAY AND NEUTER ORDINANCE Pet Overpopulation: Means that there are too many pets being born and not enough homes for them all. THE PROBLEM: Each year millions of adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized. Thousands are born each day because of uncontrolled breeding practices. They end up in shelters and on the streets. Countless others starve or freeze to death, are killed by humans or predators, or die from untreated illnesses and injuries after being abandoned. If given the chance, most of these animals would have made excellent companions. Many strays roam loose and often end up dead on the highway causing our neighborhoods to look like third world countries. It is estimated that one unaltered female cat and her offspring can produce over 11,000,000 cats in nine years. Just one unspayed female dog, her mate and puppies can produce up to 67,000 dogs in six years. IF CURRENT BIRTH RATES CONTINUE, THERE WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH GOOD HOMES. Education alone is not enough to solve this problem. Legislation must change. The problem is so overwhelming that governmental agencies and humane societies are forced to devote their resources to processing and killing animals, while legislation goes unchanged. The vast numbers of animals briefly cared for and then killed in shelters are an enormous drain on both public funds and human emotion. Dogs and cats can live many years and it can take months to place just one in a good home. Countless individuals and rescue groups are overwhelmed, shelters are understaffed and employees often work under great emotional stress. The severity of this problem projects a poor image of our society. MASS KILLING OF OUR COMPANION ANIMALS IS NO LONGER FEASIBLE OR ACCEPTABLE. THE SOLUTION: An ordinance that would regulate the breeding of animals and mandate that all dogs and cats over five months of age be spayed/neutered (except for ill or elderly pets) unless their guardians receive an unaltered animal permit. Eliminating pet overpopulation will save countless lives and dollars, as well as promote the health, safety and general welfare of residents, pets and our communities. A reduction in the pet population will help organizations to work more efficiently and save more lives. We need creative, innovative leaders in our communities and in shelter management to make responsible and compassionate decisions and enact laws that prioritize life over death. Good News: Many jurisdictions across the country that have already implemented successful forms of similar spay/neuter legislation include: San Francisco, California; Laguna, California; Honolulu, Hawaii; Kings County, Washington; San Mateo, California; Belmont, California; Denver, Colorado; Richmond, Virginia; New York City; and Calgary, Canada.