Home » News » City of North Las Vegas Mandates Spay/Neuter...

News

City of North Las Vegas Mandates Spay/Neuter

January 06, 2008, 11:35PM MT

By Dori F Gilbert

First such law in the Las Vegas Valley.

First such law in the Las Vegas Valley.

By Dori Gilbert, Best Friends Network

Approximately 30,000 homeless dogs and cats were euthanized in Clark County last year. This new ordinance is the first among local governments to address this urgent issue. Starting in May all dogs and cats residing in North Las Vegas will be required to be sterilized before they reach the age of four months. Exceptions will be allowed for people who have breeding permits and for animals deemed unable to be sterilized due to health reasons. Violating this ordinance could result in a fine of up to $1000 and up to six months in jail.

North Las Vegas is to be commended for leading the way in an effort to curtail the extreme dog and cat over-population problem in the Valley. Last Year Lied Animal Shelter took in approximately 1000 animals each week. About five hundred a week were euthanized.

Clark County is considering an ordinance to require spaying/neutering of dogs and cats that are repeatedly picked up by animal control.

For people needing information on low cost spay/neuter programs there are several options:

Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary runs the Ground Zero program which brings their mobile vet clinic to a different needy community each week. Once a month they also have their Feral Cat Clinic at a local veterinary hospital. And they have the It’s the Pits program which offers free spay/neuter for qualifying owners of Pit Bulls and Pit Bull Mixes. Visit their website at www.hcws.org for more information.

The Nevada SPCA, www.nvspca.org, and Lied Animal Shelter, www.liedanimalshelter.org, will give referrals to veterinarians and clinics that offer low cost options.

What You Can Do to Help:

If you live in the cities of Las Vegas or Henderson, urge your law-makers to adopt similar mandatory spay/neuter laws.

Adopt your pets from one of our local animal rescue organizations.

Write a letter to the editor of our local paper and help educate others about our pet over-population problem.

Comments

Posted September 16, 2008, 2:37AM by kwhitlock

$1,138.00 Dollar fine and /or six months in jail?
LA say their animal control costs increase269% within three years of passing MSN
Fort Worth TX say a significant increase in strays and strays with rabies.
San Mateo saw their euthanasia rates go up 116% within the first year of MSN
ETC, ETC, ETC!!!
MSN FAIL EVERYWHERE.

Posted January 17, 2008, 2:50PM by rmbeauchene

As a resident of North Las Vegas and the owner of 3 dogs I think it was a fantastic idea for the city to do this. All 3 of my animals have been sterilized. It's healthier for them. My 16 year old schnauzer was spayed before her first heat, since she has lived this long I think, that, in it self can attest to the health issues of sterilizing. I also love the idea that this legislation covers cats as well, I just wonder how the city is going to gather them all up to accomplish this endevour. I have 3 strays around my neighborhood that could use it.

Posted November 19, 2009, 2:14PM by OuttaControl

I live in Las Vegas. 1 thing. Good luck catching all the many strays that roam this city. They are quick. If you do get up to a cat (That lets you come near it) more than likely its going to be a domesticated one, and you could possible be euthanizeing somebody's "Family Member" Now, Las Vegas is quick to pass a law, which is more than understandable. But to crunch that on people who can't afford this M S/N that will cost 75 per female? (Lied Animal)... Offer a free service to spay and neuter, and I will be all over it. I have a ton of strays in the neighborhood, and sometimes they venture into our garage, and we are able to catch them. With a free spay, they will cut the pregnant females from crapping out more. Does anybody know of any Free Spay/Neuter facilities?