http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/article_7461.php
Lethbridge Hearld
No-Kill Alliance supports mandatory neutering of pets
By TONY CLARKE
Jul 4, 2007, 21:41

A law requiring dogs and cats to be neutered before the age of four months is close to being passed in California, but could it happen in Lethbridge?
Verna Masuda, president of the No-Kill Alliance (NOKA) in Lethbridge, said it is a law that is needed in our city and they will be approaching city council in the fall asking for mandatory neutering in Lethbridge.
Controlling over-population, said Masuda, is one of the main reasons why it should be put in place.
"The amount of over-population has to stop," said Masuda.
"Conferences I have been to in the province have focused on sheltering and there needs to be more focus on over-population."
Having a mandatory neutering bill would save money on sheltering costs, staffing, health care and the cost to kill an animal, said Masuda.
"Killing isn't free and many people do not understand this. The city has to pay a veterinarian to kill an animal and dispose of the body."
Having a pet spayed or neutered can also be expensive for some pet owners.
In 2005, she noted, Lethbridge city council made a bold step when giving NOKA a grant to help low-income people in Lethbridge neuter their pets.
She added the word has spread to other cities like Calgary, who has allocated $1 million to neutering. Red Deer and a city in Manitoba are also exploring the idea.
"It's the next wave of how things are going."
Many places across North America have already made it a law and the response has been positive according to Masuda.
"What it will do in our society is elevate the status of cats and dogs and we respect what becomes more valuable."
Heather Mueller, president of the Lethbridge and District Humane Society, said the society has always supported neutering programs.
"We would definitely be in favour to see more programs created but education is the key," said Mueller.
"City programs can be developed, but if people are unaware of the reasons behind a pet being spayed or neutered, they are less likely to access the programs."
Mueller said the animal legislation in the Canada is over 100 years old and it is time for changes to be made.
"We are a little behind the time in animal legislation and if changes occurred we would hopefully see a law in place to have mandatory neutering."
The high population of stray dogs and cats, said Muller, is overwhelming, so there will always be a need for humane shelters.
"In a dream-like state, it would be nice to see animals living in forever homes rather than a shelter."
The proposed law in California is headed to the state senate next month after passing the state assembly.
It would only exempt mandatory neutering for purebreds for breeding or shows, guide dogs for the blind, police dogs, or in some cases if it is a health risk to the animal.
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