Levine Commends LA City Council for Historic Vote to Pass Nation's Toughest Spay/Neuter Ordinance

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys), the author of Assembly Bill 1634 – the California Healthy Pets Act – made the following statement in response to the Los Angeles City Council’s vote today to support what will be the toughest, most encompassing spay and neuter ordinance in the nation.

This ordinance, largely modeled after AB 1634, will require all cats and dogs in the City of Los Angeles to be spayed or neutered if they are over the age of 4 months unless they fall under one of the seven categories for exemption.

“I am in strong support of this measure and I congratulate Councilmember Alarcón, Mayor Villaraigosa and the entire LA City Council for recognizing the severity of the pet overpopulation problem we currently face in California,” Assemblymember Levine said. “California taxpayers are paying over $250 million every year to shelter nearly 1 million cats and dogs and ultimately euthanize half that number. With the availability of free or low-cost spay/neuter services, there’s no reason why taxpayers should be footing the bill.

“Passing this ordinance and pushing for a state law are the right things to do,” Levine added. “Spay/neuter laws are the humane solution to the crisis in our shelters. Bringing kittens and puppies into the world, only to abandon them to shelters and then death, just isn’t right.”

Mandatory spay/neuter laws are a common-sense solution with a record of success. Spay/neuter laws are on the books and working in several jurisdictions in California, including San Mateo, Lake, Santa Cruz and Stanislaus counties.

Assembly Bill 1634, the California Healthy Pets Act, is currently awaiting its next hearing in the State Senate’s Local Government Committee. It would require spay/neuter throughout the state.