The California Senate on June 2 approved SB250, a measure that would require sterilization of most of the state’s cats and dogs. The 21-16 vote sent the bill to the Assembly for consideration. SB250, also known as the Pet Responsibility Act, failed in the Senate on June 1 by a vote of 16-15. It needed 21 votes to pass. A second vote led to the final approval June 2. The bill calls on owners to spay or neuter their cats at 6 months of age if the cats are allowed to roam at large. The bill also requires the sterilization of all dogs at 6 months old unless the owner gets an unaltered dog license. SB250 has been amended to authorize local governments to use existing procedures to issue intact dog licenses or to charge a fee for procedures related to the issuance, denial or revocation of unaltered dog licenses. Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez agreed June 2 to exempt hunting and working dogs from the measure and to ensure it will not apply to an animal escaping its yard for the first time. Click here to read the amended bill. <HOME>
