Mandatory Pet Spay-Neuter Bills Filed in Texas

Most of the articles I have seen on this bill focus on two things: requirements for adopted animals and the impact on breeders. I opposed this bill, but for different reasons.

Regarding adoption, I agree with the changes to chapter 828 proposed in this bill, but really it just clarifies rules already in place. The real impact is the addition of chapter 830 which requires people to sterilize animals they already own or obtain from any source, unless they are willing to pay a $300 fee. I think if the state funded free or cheap sterilization and left the choice to the owner, the amount of unwanted offsrping would decline significantly.

Regarding negative impact to breeders, I think this argument is exactly backwards. This bill will help breeders, and to me that is a bad thing. If individuals are discouraged from owning unaltered animals, then just about the only place to aquire them will be from breeders. Breeders tend to focus on so-called "pure" breeds, and that practice restricts the natural flow of genes and produces inbred animals that are much more susceptible to defects and disease.

Read the current law here:
http://www. statutes.legis. state.tx.us/SOTWDocs/HS/h- tm/HS.828.htm
and the proposed changes here:
http://www. capitol.state. tx.us/BillLookup/History. aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB4- 277

To everyone that thinks this law is great you should read the entire bill itself. Yes there are puppy mills out there and this will not correct it in any way. Furthermore this will more than likely increase them due to people going black market to bypass these laws. Responsible breeders are being punished along with all the bad individuals who do not care about doing what is right for the animal. There is no way a responsible breeders, such myself, can afford these outrageous fees and maintain a kennel with USDA fees, quality feeds, quality vaccines and medications, regular vet visits, registration fees, certifications, and utilities. If we were to survive with neighboring states being unregulated in the same manner, these fee would be passed on to the consumer and no one but the rich could afford a pet. With fewer and fewer pets, your pet food, vet care, and other services would greatly increase. While I do believe that there should some regulator means in the state, this bill goes WAY TO FAR.