Mandatory Spay/Neuter Laws

The CCSPCA does not support laws that mandate spay/neuter of all owned animals within a community; however, based on currently available scientific information, the CCSPCA strongly supports spay/neuter as an effective means to reduce shelter intake. In particular, the CCSPCA supports voluntary, affordable, accessible spay/neuter programs for owned pets, and the mandatory sterilization of shelter animals and dogs and cats prior to adoption.

The CCSPCA does not support laws that mandate spay/neuter of owned animals that come to shelters as strays as a prerequisite of returning them to their owners. However, provisions that incentivize spay/neuter in these situations can be an effective strategy that does not create unintended negative consequences, such as preventing low income owners from reclaiming pets due to inability to pay applicable fees. For example, localities and shelters may consider waiving redemption fees if owners opt to spay or neuter their pets (at no or low cost) to incentivize spay/neuter, ensure it is not cost prohibitive to pet owners, and reunite more pets with their families.

The CCSPCA recognizes that sterilization is currently the best method to reduce companion animal overpopulation and, therefore, to reduce shelter intake and euthanasia. The most important step a humane community can take to decrease companion animal overpopulation is to make a safe, effective, voluntary spay/neuter program available and readily accessible to the community, and create programs and incentives targeted to the populations known to be contributing disproportionately to shelter intake and euthanasia.