Volusia County might make dog, cat sterilization the law

Volusia would be the first county in Central Florida to require cats and dogs to go under the sterilization knife under a proposal council members will discuss today.

[Annoyed]

Who is going to Spay or Neuter the officials for making such a ridiculous rule into law. We already have enough laws and do not need another needless one on the books.

[julary]

This is a great idea and should be adopted everywhere. There simply aren't enough homes for all the cats and dogs born to pets of irresponsible pet owners. As a volunteer for Orange County Animal Services, I still have people asking me why we require adopted pets be spayed or neutered. I tell them just to look around at the hundreds of animals in the shelter, many of which will have to be put down.

[YES]

I support this law 100%. I've volunteered with shelters and rescue groups for over 10 years and for anyone who has a heart and a conscience, it's very heartbreaking work. The education is out there on spay and neuter, responsible pet ownership, yet look how many animals are dying because people choose not to care. There are even low cost and FREE spay/neuter programs! The solution is very simple. People have proven that they do not want to make the effort to end the killing of these animals. Once an animal is brought into this world, it should have every right to live a nice life.

[UNbelievable]

Geez, what's next? Forced sterilization of people because there are too many children not receiving good parenting?

There are 5 or so dogs and maybe 10 cats in my neighborhood that don't appear to have been licensed, immunized, etc. This ordinance will have no effect on those pet owners - it's just going to increase the burden on the responsible ones.

[Ex-Floridian]

"Forced sterilization of people because there are too many children not receiving good parenting?"

-Now that's a good idea!

[trtsmb]

Considering the 1000s of animals euthanized every month, any law that makes it more difficult for people to be irresponsible is great. Licensing breeders is great too because it will help put a stop to backyard breeders.

[CommonSense]

Ex-Floridian wrote:

"Forced sterilization of people because there are too many children not receiving good parenting?"
-Now that's a good idea!

Completely agreed....

As for the issue, this will NOT put a burden on responsible owners, because responsible owners already have their animals spayed or neutered. It is the irresponsible ones that cause the problem. If you cannot afford the $25 (local ASPCA) to have the procedure done, then you cannot afford proper healthcare for your animal.

The same should be said for children. If you cannot afford to care for your child properly, STOP HAVING CHILDREN!

Come on folks, it really is common sense.

[FCAT]

Lets continue to give up our rights to let another government entity tell us how to live.

[You are a moron]

How about we require sterilization as a criteria for collecting a welfare check - along with a clean drug test of course.

[Chris]

I support this law 100%!! The AKC and breeders don't care anything about dogs - all they care about is $$$$. They profit off misery!!!

[Gen6Floridian]

While I agree in principal to spaying and neutering and currently have an adopted pet who is neutered I do not agree with making it a law. Simply because responsible owners will either get their pets neutered or keep their animals confined to their property and the irresponsible owners will scoff the law and let their animals roam...so it's a waste of paper and yet another law that will go unenforced.

Question? who's going to enforce this law - are you going to be reguired to cary a license with you or do your pets have to wear "special" tags to identify them or are neighbors going to check the undercarrige to see if the animal has been neutered? Gimme a break.

[CommonSense]

FCAT wrote:

Lets continue to give up our rights to let another government entity tell us how to live.

I don't look at it as "giving up our rights". It is forced responsibility. Since people can't be responsible on their own, sometimes a little push is needed.

If vaccines were not mandatory for school and certain jobs/travel, can you imagine the epidemics that could potentially plague this county? I personally don't want to die from polio or TB because you are irresponsible. Call me greedy...

[Patti]

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" with that being said, I'd say we have alot of issues in this country. I hope this law gets passed. There are 9 MILLION dogs euthanized annually in this country....this is a no-brainer. Don't breed or buy while shelter pets die!!!!!!!

[Overit]

Here is one more unenforcable ordinance to add to the growing list. I would like to know this idea advanced far enough along for a vote.

[cat lover]

Lets include a TNR (trap, neuter, release} for feral cats in Ponce Inlet instead of euthanizing them. No one is looking out for their rights??

[Dinkaroo]

Ex-Floridian wrote:

"Forced sterilization of people because there are too many children not receiving good parenting?"
-Now that's a good idea!

My thoughts exactly!

[Ridiculous]

If you think it's needless, then YOU go stand in the animal shelter every day as they euthanize thousands of GOOD and LOVING animals that there just aren't enough people to care for.

Annoyed wrote:

Who is going to Spay or Neuter the officials for making such a ridiculous rule into law. We already have enough laws and do not need another needless one on the books.

[Ridiculous]

Where do I sign in support of this law?

You are a moron wrote:

How about we require sterilization as a criteria for collecting a welfare check - along with a clean drug test of course.

[Supporter]

I hope this passes and it's enforced. There are simply too many unwanted animals that the shelters are forced to put down. It this helps that problem even a little bit, then it's worth it. These poor animals didn't ask to be born. And there is no reason not to spay or neuter - it's relatively cheap and like a previous poster stated, if you can't afford this, you can't afford a pet. We need to do what we can so we aren't having to euthanize millions of animals each year.

Now lets talk about doing this to some people!!!

[Korin]

DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!!!

Breeders can stop whining and find real jobs. I agree, this is a no-brainer.