the next five years, sterilization of dogs and cats before they are adopted into new homes from animal shelters or from private rescue/adoption groups. The law is premised on the fact that cat and dog overpopulation is driven directly by failures to neuter/spay. Homelessness, abandonment, cruelty, and increases in feral cat and dog populations are all by-products of insufficient spay/neuter. Although many shelters and rescue groups were voluntarily sterilizing cats and dogs prior to release, this law legally obligates shelters and rescue groups to play a leadership role in reducing pet overpopulation through spay/neuter. Every adoption becomes an opportunity to educate not just that new adopter but everyone else that person tells about his or her new companion and the circumstances of the adoption. Every person who receives an explanation as to why he or she cannot adopt a breed-able animal from the shelter will be made aware of the cruelty and problems of pet overpopulation.
Chapter 747 also addresses overpopulation borne of roaming unaltered cats and dogs by creating civil fines for people who redeem unaltered cats and dogs from the shelter. In addition to any other fines or penalties, owners of unaltered pets must pay a $35 fine for the first instance of reclaiming an unaltered cat or dog, $50 for the second occurrence, and $100 for any subsequent instances.
