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    Spay it, Don’t Spray it

    Task Force Creates, Promotes Pet Spay/Neuter Ordinance


    Friday, February 13, 2009
    By Chanti Burnette
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    It’s not as if wild cats and dogs are running amuck in the streets of Santa Barbara, but, according to the Santa Barbara Humane Society, there is a real and ongoing issue of pet overpopulation within the county.

    In order to address this pervasive problem, an 11-member task force met on February 4, to discuss the potential development and implementation of new a spay/neuter ordinance within Santa Barbara. (Male cats and dogs are neutered; females are spayed.) The task force’s spokesperson, Michele Mickiewicz, explained the significance of the future regulation, “It is an ongoing problem that we have more animals in shelters than we can find homes for.” Sadly, shelters are often forced to double up pets in small spaces to accommodate the overpopulation, which can, at times, traumatize and even harm the animals.

    Mickiewicz insists that this ordinance will encourage heightened responsibility and awareness on the part of Santa Barbara County pet owners. Surrounding jurisdictions, including Lompoc, have already begun to enforce similar spay/neuter operations. The task force is also working to create different, specific regulations for exempted pet owners such as licensed breeders.

    Three more meetings have been planned to discuss and draft the ordinance:

    February 18, 4-6 p.m., at the Board of Supervisors Conference Room, Santa Maria

    March 4, 4-6 p.m., at the Board of Supervisors Conference Room, Santa Barbara

    Match 25, 4-6 p.m., at the Board of Supervisors Conference Room, Santa Maria

    The public is invited to attend the meetings to learn more. In the meantime, the Santa Barbara Humane Society’s Web site offers complete information of spay/neuter procedures and fees.

    Chanti Burnette is an Independent intern.

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    What is interesting is that one of underlying problems is that people are losing their homes to the high cost of living so they have to give up their pets. (And of course, apartment landlords aren't exactly pet-friendly) I say this because while our various politicians argue about other things, this main underlying cause isn't even discussed.

    Funny how with so many educated people running around in what is supposedly a politically progressive city Santa Barbara cannot figure out a way to create a situation where working-class people can afford to live here so of course, they have to pass another law.

    I know I'll get the usual attacks thrown at me about how this is a good idea and so on, but at the end of the day, the underlying cause gets worse and worse. Needless to say, I'm not too excited about local politics since the underlying problems of overcrowding, increased crime, and overpriced housing are never dealt with, and apparently cannot be dealt with. (If I'm wrong, then somebody please offer a solution(

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    billclausen (anonymous profile)
    February 13, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    First off, there is no pet overpopulation problem; that is yet another animal-rights zealot myth generated to push their agenda of no-more-pets. These people are importing strays from other countries to fill shelters.

    The problem is failure of homes to keep their pets, for, as billclausen mentioned, a variety of reasons including landlord unfriendliness. Factor in the current depression as well.

    The goal here is to completely eliminate pet animals by spaying and neutering them all out of existence. Ingrid Newkirk of PETA would like to see the same done to people while she's at it.

    The cult of Wayne Pacelle and Ingrid Newkirk have brought our society such things as people dressing up in KKK costumes and passing out literature likening dog fanciers to racists, criminals and the KKK.

    I bet the families of people murdered by the KKK just love having their horror used as by a domestic terrorist organization to push their politics...

    Please refer to www.PetaKillsAnimals.com for more info, as well as www.ActivistCash.com and www.HumaneWatch.org for info on this and the 7 things H$U$ doesn't want you to know.

    Reserve your right to make medical decisions yourself for your pets. Preserve the right to own and love your pets. Protect the right of small, independent rescue groups to do their valuable work. Vote against Animal Rights (which is NOT Animal WELFARE) politicians and their legislation

    Don't let these fanatics get a toehold in SB!

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    Holly (anonymous profile)
    February 13, 2009 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    We certainly do not want to become pets if this sort of legislation passes. Will they stop breeding our kinfolk at Sea World?

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    sixdolphins (anonymous profile)
    February 13, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akyJYeBVb...

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    Jolly (anonymous profile)
    February 14, 2009 at 3:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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