PetPAC on MSN
PetPAC opposes Mandatory Spay and Neuter, MSN, because contrary to what you may have been told, that MSN reduces shelter populations, and killing of shelter animals, the opposite occurs. PetPAC research showed two years ago that when MSN is put in place, pet owners facing huge fines and surgical fees disavow ownership of their pets, remand them back to shelters to be killed. Los Angeles kill rate went up 31% last year, after MSN. Thus more animals get killed.
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MSN does nothing to stop the feral cat problem, one of the main problems of shelter population. Our research shows in addition, pet owners suspicious of local government, stop licensing their pets, licensing plummets. It is probably less than 20% throughout the state right now, and down to 5% in Los Angeles.
Third, pet owners are afraid to take their pets to veterinarians because of being turned in, so health of dogs and cats suffer. Ft. Worth, vet visits fell so much, rabies cases rose until the city repealed MSN.
All of this causes shelter costs to increase which starts the problem all over.
PetPAC isn't the only group to discover these problems. The California Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Assn, the Illinois Veterinary Medical Assn, the American Veterinary Medical Assn, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, theCalifornia Department of Finance have all discovered what PetPAC knew two years ago. They all now oppose MSN.
I have noticed of late that even the Humane Society of the United States, at least in California, has dropped their support of MSN. HSUS is not a co-sponsor or on record of supporting Senate Bill 250, the new MSN bill.
It may be that HSUS sees MSN is wrong, does not work and is losing its appeal. I would urge HSUS to turn the corner and come out in opposition to SB 250 as well as all MSN legislation across the United States.
PetPAC believes MSN is a cruel punishment for pets and their owners. We vehemently oppose making pet ownership a crime. Since when does owning a natural dog or cat become a criminal offense?
PetPAC is not content to just sit back and oppose MSN bills. In California we have introduced ACR 74 which brings the No Kill Shelter method to the forefront. If you are not aware of the No Kill method, I urge you to visit the No Kill Center on the Internet. No Kill has resulted in saving over 90% of shelter animals. It works, it is not punitive, it is less costly and most importantly, it saves animals lives.
We also support voluntary spay/neuter programs, no cost and low cost spay/neuter clinics, more bi-lingual education on pet ownership. PetPAC supports TNR--trap-neuter-return for feral cats. We support increasing animal shelter budgets, more shelter compassion, more shelter outreach, longer shelter hours, better animal care, cleaner facilities, training and socialization of sheltered animals, adoption and foster care programs, volunteer programs, community involvement programs, pet advisory libraries and stopping the arbitrary killing of shelter animals because of outdated and barbaric thinking by shelter directors.
Bill Hemby
Chairman
PetPAC
