Spay and Neuter Law

Looks like California has taken a giant leap forward in the effort to make a dent in pet overpopulation by making spay and neuter not only the burden of shelters and rescues, but of the law. According to the NY Times:

"Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa of Los Angeles signed one of the nation’s toughest laws on pet sterilization, requiring most dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered by the time they are 4 months old. The ordinance intends to reduce and eventually eliminate the thousands of euthanizations conducted in the city’s animal shelters every year. The ordinance exempts some animals, including those that have competed in shows or sporting competitions, guide dogs, animals used by police agencies and those belonging to professional breeders."

Finally, legislators take it upon themselves to make the problem of pet overpopulation the entire community's responsibility, not just the shelters and rescues.