Spaying

Gayef,
Where in Virginia is this ordinance? In one city or statewide?
There are multiple states working on/passing dog/cat breeder laws. Some make sense, some are vary restrictive. Some also cover shelter's, rescue home's and boarding facilities, depending on the state. New York, you're inspected if you sell more than 9 pets, effective July 2002, Wisconsin if you sell more than 25, effective 2004, Calif. law gets worse every day. Some include cats, some don't.

>>>>>>a new ordinance was put into law. This law makes it mandatory for cat (and dog breeders too, .....breeders to register their catteries, register each litter, and register each kitten. The fees for a litter of 4 kittens would be $100 for the cattery registration, $200 for each litter, and $400 for the kittens for a grand total of $700!!! Additionally, each kitten must be microchipped .... <<<<<<

Hey Bluekat,

I am in central Virginia, about 2 hours south of D.C.

From what I have read, (I have the dang link to the actual language of the ordinance around here somewhere ... sorry - I am pressed for time at the moment - but when I locate the link, I'll post it) this is a local ordinance for the city of Richmond and surrounding counties. I live just north of Richmond, so my county is included, however, I am not 100% certain of that, so I really will make every effort to find the link so you can read for yourself.

Regarding new laws in Virginia around rescue groups, I DO have that link handy ...

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...?021+ful+SB260

One thing (among many) that stood out as I read the information on the link above (this latest legislation around rescues) is the inspections for foster homes...many are in private residences, and I fear we will lose some when they find out they will have to let their local Animal Control officers in for inspections of their bedrooms (I know a lot of fosters who have at least some of the cats housed in their bedrooms - that's why I make that reference).

~gf~

Yes, there are some bad backyard breeders but the fact is that breeding is pointless when you have countless animals languishing away in shelters and trying to fend for themselves on the streets after being abandonded.It's compounding a serious problem. I'm not trying to offend anyone I'm just stating my own, personal opinion and I'm sure some may not agree...thats fine.

You can't rely on wild animals to control the feral populations (and who even wants to think of an animal being torn apart by another). Spaying and neutering and maintaining is the only answer. You definitely can't save them all but there are many dedicated people out there who work very hard to maintain already established colonies.

I live in the country and while, wild animals are a danger, I find that attacks of that kind don't occur very often. The farmer across the road from my house has barn cats (fixed and vaccinated) and none of them have ever been attacked by anything. I also have a gray feral whom I look after and he's been around for about 5 years now. He's healthy and happy. Ferals often become "outside smart". They learn ways of avoiding being pray. They arent always successful but they fair better then abandonded,domesticated house cats.

Steph

Isn't it just safe to say "NEUTER OR SPAY YOUR PET PLEASE?" I mean honestly--no offense, but I don't care about exact figures on populations because I know what I see with my eyeballs at all the shelters, in the wild where I see ferals, etc. It's a point not worth arguing IMHO.

They are overpopulated and the battle will be a long one that must be continuously fought. So--simply put...please spay or neuter your pet and if you can, borrow a trap and get a feral and take him/her to a no kill kitty shelter to have neutered/spayed.

E~

My belief on that issue (along w/ others I've seen in my OWN state-Wa) is that it's the kill shelters (not all, but some). The ones that are earning the bucks, getting the funds, etc--they want US out of business, those of us who foster that is. In my state they want folks who foster (they only got room to ask re: those fostering like more than 7 or something) paying for licensing and such--something like 500.00 a month. It's pathetic. When a family fosters a CHILD they get PAID and yes, they to get inspected/investigated--but they get paid. Here's what I say--want to start inspecting? PAY US THEN! OTHERWISE BUTT OUT! These are temporary homes and provided you have a spot for the cat there shouldn't be any issues.

My example and why I believe this is as follows: The local kill shelter where I use to live (Humane Society, mind you the people there every last one I ever met were just AWFUL) threatened to stop all "business" with one of the local towns unless they agreed to some set amount MORE money (it was nauseating how much more they wanted) and also unless they'd impose new laws/fees regarding foster homes for animals as well as folks who live outside city limits who are running their own "sanctuary" of sorts, unincorporated that's what I'm thinking of. The town refused to do it so the Humane Society cancelled their contract w/ that town. Basically what they were saying was, "Since these people are taking away OUR business then you need to tax them and penalize them for our portion and give it to us." It was pathetic. As it is you have to go to these "people" to get your pet licensed. They DENIED my one cat license because I hadn't gotten my dog licensed, well I was waiting until her spay operation but boy they wanted that extra 50.00 to the point of REFUSING to license my cat until I licenced her! You'd think they would've SUPPORTED me spaying her, but nope--they want that money. This SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED is all I can say.

All dealings I ever had with PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society) were always positive. Those people were WONDERFUL and they actually cared. They weren't out for the almighty dollar. SO it matters if you're dealing with a "for profit" facility or a "not for profit" facility. How about getting gov't funding for the NOT FOR PROFIT FOLKS? They may already get it I don't know, I'm still learning myself but still. Those are the true people who care IMHO.

Just some random thoughts--not saying I'm "right" but I don't like what I see SOME of these orgs doing.

E~

When someone had murdered and dumped an innocent puppy in my alley this same org REFUSED to investigate. They just took her in her garbage bag, blood dripping and said..."Oh we don't do that..."
WHY THE HECK NOT!!!!???? GRRR....Ok, I'm going to drop it now otherwise I'm liable to get really angry. Sorry folks--didn't mean to hijack your topic here, lol!

But this peeves me off!

E~

hello, i´m kind of new here, i have a smoke persian 3 month old baby boy, when is the right age to spay them?? I live in an apartment on the 3rd floor, i don´t think he will ever see another cat. We have a big veranda but i think he´s to small to be out there. Thanx for any comments.

Lulu

I've been at my current apt for 2-1/2 years. About the time I got my first cat, my boyfriend joked to me about why I didn't just catch one of the wild kittens that were living under the equipment shed.

And there was an entire litter. All very cute, very wild. Slowly they disappeared, until there was just one kitten still hanging out with her mom. That's when I really started to watch all the feline activity around me.

The following summer, I started learning about rescue and TNR. I managed to catch that one remaining kitten (who I call Julie). Of course, by then she was grown, and had a litter of her own. A few weeks later, I caught one of her kittens. Bart is a beautiful Oriental Shorthair. Purebred...hardly. His mom was a classic tabby and dad was a seal-point Siamese. But he is a beautiful accident of nature! He's sleek and slender and loves to chirrup at me when I'm late with dinner! Besides, once they are neutered, does it matter if they have a pedigree or not?

Since I caught Julie, I've been trying to catch the old Siamese tom. Wily and smart, he would always walk past my smelly bait with his nose in the air! But lately, I tried a different approach.

I never feed a stray unless I make eye contact with it. So two months ago, I made direct eye contact with 'Tom' and dropped some food. Maybe a week later, I did it again. Two weeks later, to my great surprise, 'Tom' sauntered right up to me as I sat outside with my cats. He sat himself down like he'd been coming everyday for a year - and waited for me to go inside and bring some food out!

I wasn't feeding him everyday, but I was building trust. He knew who I was and that I would feed him. That was enough for him. Last night I had a breakthrough. I was standing outside with my cats when I felt one run by and tap my leg. It was Tom! I brought him some food, and when he was done he was so grateful, he rubbed on me! Later, I managed to get him inside my apt and into my bathroom!

A friend of mine, also in the Austin Siamese Rescue group, came over to pick him up this morning. He was obviously dumped, so we're going to try and get him reintroduced to polite society! Is he pedigree? Who knows. I thought he was a mix b/c his face is so round...but my friend says our Tom has those great big jowls from being unaltered for so long. Apparently when they fight and bite, their facial muscles become stronger and bigger around the jaws. Incredible! I wonder what he looked like when he was younger. He looks like a tough guy now.

I don't think most people care if their 'Siamese' is a mix or not. They like the colorpoints, or the blue eyes, or the snowshoes. And as long as kitty is fixed, it shouldn't matter.

So, now on to the next kitty. Bart's littermate is still running wild....

http://tx.siameserescue.org/

Lulu, there's a lot of debate on the best age to spay/neuter. Most rescuers will tell you *AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!*

My vet has told me 5-6 months. The spay clinic I volunteer at will only accept animals that weigh more than three pounds, and are at least three months old. There are some SPCA groups that will fix kittens as young as 6 or 8 weeks old.

I know with my males, I'm always paranoid that they'll start spraying. I had one male done at 5 months, another at 4 months, and one of my fosters just got done at 12 months. I've been lucky that no one has sprayed.

If you keep your kitty indoors all the time, then it probably won't hurt to wait until he is 4 or 5 months old. I personally didn't feel comfortable waiting until 6 months b/c they start to get their male hormones then...and that's when the spraying starts. I wanted to make sure that was 'nipped' in the bud!

The males have a quick and easy surgery...a quick nip and they're done. He will heal quickly...just watch to make sure he doesn't lick himself too much.

Don't wait too long! Accidents happen everyday!

I read on a Humane Society page that there are 10 homeless animals for every person in America.

If you 'estimate' that the average household has four people (ok, so this isn't exact)...well then you see there are 40 homeless animals for every household in America.

That's the stat I quote to people. I think it brings the problem down to a more understandable scale. You can talk about the millions and millions of animals being killed, abandoned, etc. but when you tell someone there are 40 homeless animals for every household...it makes them pause.

Do you want 40 pets?

Not me.

"Don't Breed or Buy While Shelter Pets Die"

Support the No-Kill Millennium. Spay and Neuter all your pets AND strays.

So, you are saying all breeders should stop breeding?? and no one should buy a purebred dog or cat?.

This was SUCH A good thread until people started flaming. Maybe we can discuss this like adults again?

Boy Sam, it has been a long time since I read that thread. You are right though, sans the flames it is a pretty informative thread. It did get pretty wild there for awhile, and I do hope something was accomplished back when all that was going on.

Hi M.A.

It has such good information as well, and it's one of the important threads, we don't want to exhibit flaming to our prospective/new members.

Sam

Well it is a subject that is wrapped up in passion. I have seen worse flames than this.

I don't fall in the mold of being a rescuer who believes breeding is wrong. BYB is wrong, regardless, but ethical breeders promoting the best of their lines, is another story.

I hope in my time here there is never a fight.

I too [in being a breeder] don't think breeding cats responsibly is wrong BUT indeed BYB is especially with cats just picked up from any dirty shelter ( Not saying shelters are dirty but some are) and then just bred to try and make money.

In a sentence. Get your cat fixed. Fullstop.

Just the other night, I went back through and read this thread again ... and while I do freely admit my responsibility in getting upset with certain folks, I always felt it was an informative and important message.

Gaye

I wasn't really aiming at you Gaye.. Sorry!

It does however, [ avoiding the flaming ] pass on a good message

Sam.

I didn't think you were aiming for me, lamb - no offense taken at all.

~gf~

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Do you breed Siamese?