Cats and dogs; license fee on those who have not been spayed or neutered. (HB2100)

Introduced By

Del. Bobby Orrock (R-Thornburg)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

License tax on dogs and cats. Provides a financial disincentive for dog and cat owners who have not spayed or neutered their pets by allowing localities to charge a license fee of up to $20 for each cat or dog that has not been spayed or neutered. The local license fee for cats and dogs that have been spayed or neutered would between $1 and $10, which is the current allowable license fee. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/08/2007Committee
01/08/2007Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/07 072524448
01/08/2007Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/18/2007Assigned ACNRsub: Agriculture (Orrock)
02/06/2007Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

Comments

fdr writes:

The intent is good on this legislation, but its impact will be nil. For the financial disincentive to have any impact whatsoever on domestic animal overpopulation, the un-fixed pet license fee should equal or exceed the cost of a spay/neuter operation. The license application should also include stats on the previous year's animal shelter euthanasia deaths in that city/county.

It's practically moot anyway, since enforcement of animal license laws is almost nonexistent.

bobbi c writes:

FDR, there have been studies on this. Huge license differentials tend to cut licensure compliance and don't have much impact on s/n rates. What WORKS is availability of low-cost spay/neuter, as well as outreach (look at what Richmond SPCA has done with outreach - very impressive.)