Posted on 05/25/2006 4:11:35 AM PDT by decimon
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Rhode Island could become the first state to require cat owners to spay or neuter their pets under legislation passed Wednesday by the General Assembly.
The measure would require pets older than 6 months to be spayed or neutered unless owners pay $100 for a breeder's license or special permit. Violators would be fined $75 a month.
The Senate previously passed the bill, and with House approval, it now goes to Gov. Don Carcieri. The governor was reviewing the legislation, spokesman Jeff Neal said.
Democratic Rep. Charlene Lima, the legislation's main sponsor in the House, said she hopes Rhode Island will lead the nation in instituting a spaying requirement.
Supporters say the bill could save thousands of cats from being killed each year and ease crowding in animal shelters.
But some animal rights advocates worry the bill could prompt cat owners to abandon their pets rather than risk a fine or pay several hundred dollars for the birth control procedures.
The bill has a provision for low-income pet owners to receive subsidies for low-cost spay and neuter surgery. It also exempts farmers.
East Providence, Pawtucket and Warwick already have similar municipal ordinances.
Exactly. Both of my indoor toms got neutered at about 6 months before they started spraying. Never have had a problem.
Regarding this legislation, there are a lot of irresponsible people out there who have caused the suffering of many abandoned, stray, and feral cats, but I don't think this is the route to take.
I sense there will be some mighty p*ssed off viking kitties showing up on this post expressing their displeasure at this...
Does that include Congressman Patrick Patches Kennedy?
wish this was a nation wide thing, save the small wildlife
To be Patrick Puss Kennedy?
My nomination for Best Suggestion of the
Day!
Good post. I'm not for coercive laws but one trip to the SPCA is enough to make you despise people who take no responsibility for their pets.
Ditto here....my two putty's are "fat and happy"....they rule this home...one is also a diabetic so there is no way he would ever leave his castle:-)
My guess would be to have vets do it when the cats come in for their shots. It would be part of the liscencing requirements and will help vets make more money by having to perform the procedures.
My dog and cats are neutered, and I strongly encourage everyone to neuter their pets. That said, this bill isn't about animal control - it's about people control.
I'm surprised they aren't requiring this for dogs, too.
How do they even check to see if you own a cat? If you bought or adopted one outside of a grocery store or in a parking lot, no one is the wiser.
And starve the bears?
I think that's because dogs don't generally roam free to breed like...well, cats. There are several neighborhood cats that frequent my yard but no dogs.
That utterance violates the Omnibus Free Thinking Act of 2005. Please prepare your paperwork for a visit from the Federal Agency of Communication Truth.
You are so right. How could anyone keep a non-neutered cat inside? Even if you neuter, some of them still have that odor.
If animal have rights, why don't they have the right to choose?
I am pro-choice for animals. I don't want to force my decisions on others. They have the right to determine what to do with their own bodies.
I agree...spay and neuter politicians, drug test them too, especially those from Rhode Island! :)
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