CA Public Health Reports Large Increase in Pet Euthanasia
17 July 2009
by Anai Rhoads
AnaiRhoads.org -- A California-based non-profit organisation recently announced that there is an influx of euthanasia cases in the state, despite laws in place that require spaying and neutering.
Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL) reported that the total number of euthanasia of cats and dogs entering California municipal shelters increased 14.6 percent statewide over the last five years. From 2004 to 2008, the number of animals put down went from 378,445 to 433,512 according to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) figures.
The annual rate has shifted as well. The number of homeless or abandoned cats and dogs entering California shelters have increased statewide from 729,238 to 835,642. SCIL notes that these figures do not take into account animals in private shelters throughout the state.
"The vast majority of the dogs and cats being euthanised are healthy, adoptable, loving companions," said Judie Mancuso, SCIL founder and president. "More and more animals are ending up in California shelters and it's a moral and fiscal crisis. This increase in animals entering shelters and the subsequent tragic increase in euthanasia is a result of people abandoning their pets because of financial problems, accidental litters from unaltered pets, over-breeding of dogs and cats and stray unaltered dogs and cats reproducing."
There are currently two major bills making their way through the California State Legislature, which aim to address the problem of overpopulation and euthanasia in shelters. Despite several cities and counties in California passing spay and neuter legislation, more needs to be done to address the overpopulation of these animals.
Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez authored The Pet Responsibility Act (SB 250), which would require all dogs be spayed or neutered unless their owner/guardian obtains an unaltered dog license when they license their animal. In addition, SB 250 would also require that roaming cats be kept indoors or spayed and neutered.
The second is The Responsible Breeder's Act (AB 241), authored by Assemblyman Pedro Nava. The act would assist in cracking down on backyard breeders, animal hoarders and puppy mills. If passed, there would be a maximum of 50 unaltered animals allotted per facility. AB 241 only just passed Senate Public Safety Committee on Thursday.
"We have decreased euthanasia over 64 percent in the past 15 years while our human population has increased in that same time period," said Henry Brzezinski, general manager of the Santa Cruz County Animal Services Authority, which has had spay and neuter legislation in effect since 1995. "The County was able to build a new shelter recently with fewer cages because of a reduction in animals needing care and we no longer euthanise for space."
In 2006, similar legislation was implemented In Lake County. Paula Werner, with Lake County Animal Control, notes that the "most telling sign for us about the legislation, in Clearlake which accounts for 30 percent of all strays in the County, is that animal intake is down 30 percent compared to the same time period one year ago."
Many states have been slow moving in shifting their spay and neutering laws. However, In New York City, an amendment to the New York City administrative code went into effect in November 2000, which required that all dogs and cats be spayed or neutered before finalising an adoption from a shelter. The amendment was a success – since 2001, Animal Care and Control of New York City reported a 54.6 percent reduction in euthanasia cases.
Please join us in supporting these Acts:
The Pet Responsibility Act SB 250, by Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez.
The Responsible Breeder's Act (AB 241), authored by Assemblyman Pedro Nava.
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