Imagine my surprise, and for once it was a pleasant experience, to read the ASPCA’s stance on Mandatory Spay/Neuter legislation.  They are against it and instead support low cost spay and neuter, and education programs.  I do not think shocked and amazed can adequately describe what I am feeling right now.  I do have to say, THANK YOU ASPCA!

For those of you that are confused, and you are not alone, let me explain.  Normally most animal organizations push the destruction of pet ownership rights and they get away with it because of the unfortunate minority of people who abuse, neglect and abandon animals.  Personally I have always had mixed feelings for ASPCA as they have done great good but also support taking my rights away. Unlike them though the HSUS and PETA have only done as much harm as they can.  HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) has even gone so far as to recommend immediate execution of all “fighting dog breeds” (with the hidden agenda that all dogs and cats should be destroyed).  PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has the same agenda and has endorsed the euthanasia on wheels traveling neighborhoods near you taking “stray” pets off the streets and killing them on the spot.

All over the country legislation is being rammed down the throats of pet owners (and farmers as well).  These movements are being pushed, lobbied for and backed by HSUS and PETA.  The idea is to put outrageous penalties, registration fees and other provisions in place to make it impossible to breed, own or care for domesticated animals.  These anti-pet (and anti-livestock) policies not only make it impossible to be a responsible breeder but also cause euthanasia rates to sky rocket as people dump their unaltered pets rather than face fines they cannot pay.  They never back proven strategies such as low-cost spay & neuter clinics which have been successfully reduced euthanasia rates, as well as pet abandonment.  The Responsible Pet Owners Association has been quite successful promoting voluntary spay and neuter programs.  They have also successfully assisted with low-cost spay/neuter clinics that have helped to reduce pet overpopulation in Texas.  Despite this excellent record, legislators continue to ignore the facts, and the concrete proof, and listen to groups like PETA and the HSUS.

In the past we have seen the ASPCA on the wrong side of the fence on these issues.  The ASCPA often backs what we consider to be anti-pet and anti-responsible breeder legislation.  Many times they do this merely by providing their name as backers of these bills and other times with “expert” testimony that usually centers on examples of pet abuse and neglect that actually have little to do with the majority of pet owners that these bills would affect.  This type of legislation often looks good on paper, and sounds good on your local news station, but in reality it is designed to end pet ownership.  They do this by making it so expensive to breed or own animals that responsible people cannot reasonably afford to breed or even own pets any longer.   These bills are often touted as stopping the evil “Puppy Mills” but in reality are full of loop holes for corporations that run large breeding establishments.

In the ASPCA’s policy available on their website we see that they are no longer supporting mandatory spay/neuter.  This is huge!  If an animal “welfare” organization as big as the ASPCA takes a formal stance against this type of legislation it helps those fighting against it.  And I personally want to thank the ASPCA for being reasonable, ethical and smart.  Anyone can see the facts and the facts do not support mandatory spay & neuter.  In fact the facts are that when mandatory spay and neuter is passed in certain counties (like San Mateo in California) euthanasia rates sky rocket.  More pets die than ever before and the money spent harassing pet owners can be better spent running and funding low cost spay and neuter programs in poor neighborhoods.

We hope the ASPCA will now also get on board against pet limit laws which also force good and loving homes to abandon their well cared for pets or face unreasonable fines.  And for those of us who have the joy of owning dogs we would surely appreciate a hard look at the facts on “dangerous dog legislation” and Breed specific legislation.  We also implore them to get behind the No Kill Advocacy Center that can truly make our country a No Kill country!   But that’s a subject for another article.

Thank you to the ASPCA for taking a stance that will actually save pets!!

Read the ASPCA’s stance on Mandatory Spay & Neuter: http://www.aspca.org/about-us/policy-positions/mandatory-spay-neuter-laws.html