There was a hearing on this today, but they did not vote today, they decided to put the matter on recess for now. I am not sure when they will be meeting next.
Chicago "Substitute Ordinance - Mandatory Spay/Neuter"
July 2008
(this article from: http://www.cfa.org/exhibitors/alert-IL-Chicago7-12.html )
Chicago Aldermen have suggested a possible mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for several months. A draft has now been introduced. The MSN ordinance will be discussed and possibly voted on at a joint committee meeting in Chicago this coming TUESDAY JULY 29th. Let your friends in Chicago know. Revised language for the ordinance was sent to us today from the author's office.
This concept and wording was imported straight from California (compiled from the old failed AB 1634 and the newly passed City of Los Angeles MSN law). This legislation requires sterilization of all cats and dogs over the age of 6 months.
The proposal would seriously impact breeders of pedigreed cats, purebred dogs, law enforcement and other working dogs. It will be detrimental to the unowned/feral cats. Our views must be expressed before the meeting.
WHAT TO DO:
* Send a fax to the authors/two Committee Chairs - contact information is below
Refer to - Chicago "Substitute Ordinance - Mandatory Spay/Neuter" July 2008
Suggested opposition points - put in your own words. See the CFA article -" MSN - Pedigreed Cats are NOT Exempt"
** Mandated sterilization gives government authority to determine whether or when to spay/neuter a pet - this is a decision that should remain the pet owner's choice with veterinary advice. It is not always possible to determine if a kitten of 6 months will be a good show/breeding cat or pet.
** Most owned pet cats are already sterilized - studies show 87% to 94% nationwide with urban area rates highest. The unowned or "loosely owned" cats may be intact but mandating spay/neuter will not change this - low cost sterilization and feral cat trap/neuter/return programs will. Stray pregnant cats will be ignored rather than helped for fear of penalty.
** Pedigreed cats registered with an "approved" registry AND kept for competing in shows are exempt. But not all cats like to show; not all cats valuable in a breeding program can be shown or win titles (i.e. straight eared Scottish Folds, stumpy tail Manx)
** Commercial breeders with a valid animal facility license are exempt - with this ordinance this will be all that is left. Home-based private breeders dedicated to the best of their breeds will no longer continue.
** Permits for each cat provide another exemption but the permit costs $100 every year per cat. A breeder must jump through numerous hoops to obtain the permit. It is a violation for a person to allow the cat/dog to " breed" before obtaining this permit - it is not easy to predict when a female will be in season and have a permit in hand in advance.
** Permits include advertising requirements. Transfer of a cat/dog even to a family member or placement of a retired show cat means providing personal information to the Commission. Permit applicants must go through a criminal history background check.
** VIOLATION penalties are extremely severe! Second violation of any section means up to $100 fine; third violation means up to $500 AND constitutes grounds for IMPOUNDMENT.
** Impoundment for any reason requires mandated microchip and sterilization on FIRST IMPOUNDMENT unless the animal can qualify for intact exemption. There is a hearing process, testimony within 15 days of request and circuit court appeal. But every day a cat sits in the shelter waiting for the process to be over means a greater chance for infectious disease. This is an outrageous requirement, cruel to the animal especially in times of disaster when there may be numerous animals impounded. Many who do not want to pay for a microchip and sterilization in addition to shelter housing charges will sadly abandon their cat to the shelter. Mandated sterilization does not work. The spay/neuter law passed in Rhode Island for cats has been a failure because no one applies for a permit. The few jurisdictions that have passed MSN ws have had no track record to assess the problems or long term negative consequences.
CONTACTS
Clubs and individuals - IMMEDIATELY send your FAX to:
Alderman Edward Burke (author)
Chair - Committee on Finance
121 N. LaSalle St. Room 302
FAX - 312-744-1955
[email protected]
Alderman Virginia Rugai (author)
121 N. LaSalle St. Room 300
FAX 773-238-9049
[email protected]
Alderman Eugene Schulter Chair, Committee on License & Consumer Protection
121 N. LaSalle St. Room 300
FAX 312-744-1509
[email protected]
To correspond with the CFA Legislative Committee, please send email to [email protected]