INDIANAPOLIS (WOWO): The push is on from animal welfare advocates and rescue groups around the state for a new bill that would legally mandate cats and dogs be spayed or neutered before they can be adopted out.
The proposal, House Bill 1175, would not only mandate spay-neuter procedures but also create a fund through which prospective pet owners would have access to low cost spay/neuter services. Kirsten VantWoud, Chief Operations Officer for the Humane Society of Indianapolis says the bill is modeled after industry standards already being practiced in the New England area. She says that requiring proof of spay/neuter procedures before adoption will mean fewer pets on the streets and less stress on local shelters.
The bill would also work closely with the Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana, Inc; to whom all shelters would be providing reports too and in turn report that data to the state board of animal health. The bill was authored by Republican Rep. Mike Karickoff of Kokomo and is current awaiting a hearing with the Ways and Means committee.
