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Legislative Issues
ISVMA Position Statement
The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA) opposes the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance being proposed for the City of Chicago. Although the ordinance’s stated goals to reduce the number of unwanted pets and gang activity are laudable, the reality is that it will have no effect on these problems. Instead, it will create some serious public health concerns, cause many animals to be denied necessary health care, and will trample on the personal property rights of conscientious pet owners.
The ISVMA...
American College of Theriogenologists - Position Statement
The American College of Theriogenologists and The Society for Theriogenology believe that companion animals not intended for breeding should be spayed or neutered; however, both organizations believe that the decision to spay or neuter a pet must be made on a case by case basis, and this decision should be made between the pet’s owner and its veterinarian, taking into consideration the pet’s age, breed, sex, health status, intended use, household environment and temperament.
While there are health...
ISVMA's Letter to the Aldermen
Dear Members of the Chicago City Council,
The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association recommends that you vote no on the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance that is being proposed within your city. Although the stated goal is to reduce the pet overpopulation problem and reduce gang activity is laudable, this ordinance will have no effect on these problems, create some serious public health concerns, deny necessary health care for many animals and trample on personal property rights of law abiding conscientious pet owners....
Anti-Cruelty Society Position Statement
Does The Anti-Cruelty Society support the proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance?
No. Our deep care for animals and for the health of the community is why The Anti-Cruelty Society does not support the proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance currently being considered by the City. While we strongly support spay/neuter for pets and provide the service for more than 13,000 cats and dogs each year, we believe the mandate does not address the core problem of dog and cat overpopulation, which stems from irresponsible...
Alley Cat Allies. Mandatory Cat Spay/Neuter
Since 1990, Alley Cat Allies has advocated that all cats be spayed or neutered, particularly those who are stray or feral. We support legislative and non-legislative approaches that rely on positive incentives and that harness community-wide resources to increase the cat neuter rate. We, however, oppose “mandatory spay/neuter.” This method not only fails to increase the cat neuter rate.
Punishing Non-Existent Cat Owners
Mandatory spay/neuter laws are based on myth not reality. As an early...