On Tuesday, November 18, 2014, the Council unanimously approved a proposal for City staff to draft an ordinance making it mandatory for dog owners to spay or neuter their pets unless they are show dogs, possess a medical exclusion, or have a breeding permit from the Animal Care Services (ACS) Bureau.
This legislation, which I co-authored along with Vice Mayor Lowenthal and Councilwoman Suzie Price, builds on the current momentum and our common goal to reduce the number of animals euthanized every year by increasing responsible pet ownership, public education/outreach, enforcement programs, spay/neuter vouchers, mobile clinics, microchipping and licensing.
Even with the good work of ACS and by our community partners, more proactive measures are warranted when you consider the approximately 4,440 dogs that were impounded in 2013. Opportunities exist that are great for the pet population and great for the business of pet shops to receive the unwanted puppies, approximately one in four of those impounded. Such initiatives have a tremendous impact on our animal population, leading to a further decrease in abandonment, strays and ferals. To read more, click here.