April 16, 2007 Mayor Coerper and City Councilmembers: We are the Catnip and Carrots Animal Bunch, a Huntington Beach, all-volunteer organization dedicated to animal welfare in this community. We were formed 2 years ago and successfully adopted over 125 homeless pets in partnership with PetSmart Charities in the city. We wish to address item H1a, Mandatory Spay/Neuter/Microchip. Though certainly a worthwhile endeavor, this is a very controversial issue with many facets to consider. Pets are considered family members to millions of households and we can be quite passionate when it comes to their well-being and care. Mandatory microchipping is a simple, relatively low cost and effective way to insure a lost or sometimes injured animal is reunited with its owner. The pet therefore would not spend unnecessary time in the county shelter, thus draining already strained resources, not to mention the stress on the animal. Microchipping could also help lead law enforcement officials to animal abusers or those who abandon animals. Microchipping should be a part of responsible pet ownership and we support this proposal. Mandatory spay/neuter on the other hand, brings up many basic questions. Currently there is no low cost veterinary clinic within our city limits. Even those who can afford spay/neuter often do not do so, due to the normally high cost. The average cost to spay a female cat in HB is $175. - How will the program be implemented?
- Already the county has increased licensing fees for intact dogs. Will the city implement mandatory licensing and registration of cats and rabbits - the 3rd most popular domestic pet?
- Who will enforce the program?
- The county, the city, a committee, a private organization or business, or would the city start its own 501c3 charity with dedicated oversight? There needs to be a way to network with other groups and individuals who take on the animal welfare issue.
- How do we make it affordable?
- Will the city continue its current grant program? Many of our residents are low income. We must be able to reach them to make this program effective. Many residents go outside the city to low cost clinics and those are normally booked up weeks in advance.
- How will we advertise the services?
- The current spay/neuter/microchip program is poorly advertised, especially in the Hispanic community. While we ran our adoption center in HB, many of the residents we spoke to had no idea there was a city sponsored program. A notice in our utility bills would reach thousands of pet owners.
- How do we make it convenient?
- Will the city contract with private veterinarians, county services, or open a local clinic? Will there be transportation assistance for the elderly or low income who cannot carry their pet on the bus.
6. At what age do we require mandatory spay/neuter? a. Many veterinarians will not do pediatric surgeries, but prefer to wait until 6 months or older. 7. How will you enforce this program for feral cat colonies in our city? Who will be responsible? a. There are many fine individuals who Trap/Neuter/Return with no outside assistance. 8. Although the breeder issue is addressed in the proposal, how will you deal with illegally imported animals that are taken directly to private sellers or pet stores? Currently bill AB 1634 is before the California legislature regarding mandatory Spay/Neuter at the state level. We think it would be prudent for the city to wait and see what happens in Sacramento and instead put resources towards an effective spay/neuter program to better control the pet overpopulation crisis today. There are many obstacles to implementing such a mandatory program. It will never be 100% effective but it will deter the average pet owner from unwanted litters due to backyard breeding or from letting their unaltered animals run loose. We understand the dire need to control pet overpopulation but we believe there is a better solution. Of the top 10 U.S. counties, only Orange County does not have a mobile spay/neuter clinic. A brand new 26’ fully stocked vehicle would cost $130,000. If the city is already paying $433,000 to the county, the cost of the Surf City Neuter Scooter would be an effective alternative to helping reduce animal control costs. The mobile unit could reach the communities and residents where help is needed most. Catnip and Carrots has so far committed $14,000 towards the purchase of such a vehicle and it remains our #1 goal for the city. Though this letter does not address all the issues and costs involved, we would be happy to offer our services to the city and staff to address any concerns. We also hope the city will look towards Los Angeles, Santa Cruz and other California cities who have sought to start such a program. Sincerely, Susan Wise
President, Catnip and Carrots Animal Bunch, Inc. | 
