Questions and Answers

A: Tens of thousands of companion animals—cats and dogs—are taken to Washington shelters each year with many dying there simply because homes cannot be found for them. Others pets, including kittens and puppies, never make it to shelters. They are abandoned, neglected, abused, or left by their owners to fend for themselves. Some survive, while others succumb to predators, cars, disease or starvation.

Spay/neuter surgery is the most effective, compassionate solution to the problem of companion animal homelessness and euthanasia. Our goal is to help Washington State stop killing between 40 and 50 percent of the animals brought to shelters each year, year after year, when many of those animals are healthy or treatable cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies. This is a statewide problem that needs to be addressed on a statewide basis.

Several other states have enacted similar legislation to promote and support spay/neuter surgeries. These states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont. We have reviewed other states' programs and developed one for Washington State that will work. We're confident that it will make a big difference in saving animals' lives, reducing the risks of dog bite injuries, and will help reduce animal control and shelter costs.

Q: Won't it be difficult to pass a bill that includes fees in the legislature?

A: Yes. However, not passing the bill will cost many healthy animals their lives and we won't be doing anything at the state level to help reduce the risks of dog bite injuries. Legislators need to recognize that that passing the spay/neuter bill will have no adverse effects on other state programs; the fee is reasonable, fair, and acceptable; and in the long run, we can expect it to help reduce costs for animal control and sheltering at the local level.

Q: Isn't the State of Washington already spending a lot of money to help save companion animals' lives?

A: We estimate that $80 million or more per year of retail sales tax is collected by the state from the sale of pet products (food, collars, carriers, leashes, toys, etc.) that goes into the general fund. However, year after year, nothing is spent by the state through any fund to help save companion animals' lives. Proposed spay/neuter legislation would establish a fee that does not take a dime from the general fund. The fee would affect cat and dog owners only (through pet food purchases) rather than the general public, and the fee would have a direct impact of no more than a few cents per pound.

Q: How many cats and dogs are there in Washington State? How many have not been spayed or neutered?

A: A study prepared by the Washington State Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies’ Spay/Neuter Task Force (July 2007) estimated that the 2006 population of owned cats and dogs in Washington was approximately 3 million to 3.6 million, with cats representing between 53 to 55 percent of the total, and dogs representing 45 to 47 percent of the total. In addition to the owned-animal population, there is a large population of unowned, feral or free-roaming (stray) cats residing in communities throughout the state. We estimate that there are up to 1.23 million feral and free-roaming cats in Washington.

In total, there are an estimated 560,000 to 660,000 unaltered, owned cats and dogs in Washington State. Adding in the estimated unaltered population of feral and free-roaming cats (1.2 million), the total becomes 1.76 to 1.86 million unaltered cats and dogs.

Q: Why are you focusing attention on animals owned by low-income individuals?

A: Low-income residents are the least likely to be able to afford the costs of spaying and neutering their pets, or even paying for routine or emergency care for their animals. Studies have shown that “cost” is a major reason why people do not get their pets spayed or neutered. Studies have also shown that pets in low-income households are less likely to be sterilized, thereby making up a significant part of the overpopulation crisis.

Surgical sterilization costs vary, depending upon whether the animal is a dog or cat, whether it is male or female, its weight and condition, the fee structure and specific procedures used by the clinic, and other factors. In a survey conducted in August 2008 of 50 private veterinary clinics throughout Washington State, the median prices of a presurgical exam and surgery were $100, $145, $170, and $199 for a cat neuter, cat spay, dog neuter, and dog spay, respectively. At the 80th percentile (the rates at which 80 percent of the surveyed clinics charge no more than), the rates were $142, $229, $247, and $300 for a presurgical exam and surgery for a cat neuter, cat spay, dog neuter, and dog spay, respectively.

Under the proposed legislation, the costs of spay/neuter surgeries of pets belonging to low-income residents would be paid by the fund, except for a reasonable copayment for which the owner is responsible. The copayment required of the pet owner would not exceed $10 for a cat spay or neuter surgery, and $20 for a dog spay or neuter surgery. The copayment amounts are set to be reasonable and affordable. They are slightly lower for cat spay and neuter surgeries than dog spay and neuter surgeries because (1) there are substantially more cats euthanized in shelters than dogs, and (2) costs for spaying and neutering cats are lower than for spaying and neutering dogs. There are no copayments required for feral or free-roaming cats' surgeries.

Q: How do you define someone as "low income?"

A: In Washington State, about 30.6 percent of households are considered low-income, where income falls within approximately 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Incomes at or below this level are used to define eligibility for social and medical assistance such as Medicaid, food stamps, Basic Health insurance, federal Supplemental Security Income, and a number of other programs.

Q: Why are feral and free-roaming cats also targeted for spay/neuter surgeries?

A: We estimate that there are up to 1.23 million feral and free-roaming (stray) cats in Washington. Free-roaming cats include those lost, abandoned, or “loosely” owned by people. Some cats are not socialized to accept people (feral cats), while other cats vary in temperament from being partly feral, shy, or tame.

All unaltered cats can contribute to the population of cats and kittens euthanized in shelters, and many free-roaming or feral cats lose their lives there. A recent study estimated that only about two percent of free-roaming cats nationwide are altered, and not surprisingly, the vast majority of kittens born each year come from free-roaming cats. With more and more cats born, the competition for homes increases. But with spay/neuter of these cats, fewer kittens are born, competition for homes is reduced, and lives are saved through prevention. This aspect of the legislative program is particularly important, since many more cats than dogs are euthanized in Washington shelters.

Q: Will spay/neuter surgeries be mandatory?

A: No. The purpose of the bill is to provide financial incentives and ready access to spay/neuter surgery. The bill does not require anyone to spay or neuter their cats or dogs.

Q: How many surgeries will be performed under proposed legislation?

A: As noted above, there are an estimated 560,000 to 660,000 unaltered, owned cats and dogs in Washington State. Adding in the estimated unaltered population of feral and free-roaming cats (1.2 million), the total becomes 1.76 to 1.86 million unaltered cats and dogs. The program goal of at least 60,000 surgeries per year is proposed. This goal is reasonable, achievable, and affordable.

Q: What is the fee to support this program?

A: The program would be funded by a fee on pet food distributed in Washington State. It is not a retail sales tax. The fee amount would be $0.025 per pound. For more information about the fee and its impacts, see the fact sheet.

Q: Would the fee apply to food I purchase for my parrot or tropical fish?

A. No. The pet food fee would specifically exclude feed purchased for "specialty pets." A specialty pet is one that is normally maintained in a cage or tank. Examples include gerbils, hamsters, canaries, psittacine birds (parrot and cockatoo families), mynahs, finches, tropical fish, goldfish, snakes, and turtles.

Q: How big is the problem of dogs that bite, and how will the program reduce risks from dog bites, injuries, and liability?

A: It is not unusual to find news coverage of dogs that have bitten or mauled people or pets, sometimes causing serious injury or loss of life. Here are two examples of serious dog bite injuries resulting from unaltered dogs: SeaTac incident and Gig Harbor incident. Here is a recent article about the serious financial impacts that can result from dog bites: Your Dog's Bite Could Bankrupt You.

In fact, the State of Illinois' spay/neuter legislation passed in 2005 was named the "Anna Cieslewicz Act" in memory of Ms. Cieslewicz, a pediatric nurse that was attacked and killed by dogs in Chicago in 2002 while she was jogging in the woods.

Nearly two percent of the U.S. population, or 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2007, the nation's insurers paid claims totaling over $356 million, with the average claim amounting to $24,511.

Research has shown that unaltered dogs are much more likely to cause human injury from bites than altered dogs. A study using data collected in Multnomah County, Oregon, showed that unaltered female dogs were about ten times as likely to be reported for bite injuries than spayed female dogs, while unaltered male dogs were about seven times as likely to be reported for bite injuries than neutered male dogs. (Overall, male dogs were more likely to cause bite injuries than female dogs.) Although several factors are related to dog bite incidents, the status of dogs as either intact or spayed/neutered is significant. By focusing attention on spay/neuter to help address this problem, we can expect a reduced number of dog bites and injuries, less pain and suffering, lost time, legal costs, and liability.

Q: Where would people go to get their cats and dogs spayed and neutered under this program?

A: There will be a statewide network of private veterinary clinics, animal care and control agencies, and nonprofit organizations that perform spay/neuter surgeries.

Q: How will people find out about the importance of spay/neuter surgery for their pets?

A: Funds will be allocated to inform the public on the benefits of spaying and neutering their dogs and cats, and to make people aware of how and where they can obtain this service. It will also be very important to inform pet owners of the importance of spaying and neutering animals before they end up with unplanned litters of kittens or puppies. One study reported that 68 percent of households having litters of kittens had unplanned litters, while 56 percent of households having litters of puppies had unplanned litters. Many people are simply unaware of the early age at which their pets, particularly cats, can produce offspring.

Q: If I am low income, will there be a lot of forms and procedures involved in getting approved to get my pets spayed and neutered under this program?

A: No. The program's success depends upon making sure that obtaining spay/neuter surgery for cats and dogs is reasonably convenient, not burdensome. The bill directs the lead agency administering the program to maximize the ease and convenience for eligible owners and caretakers of companion animals to apply for and receive spay/neuter surgeries.

Q: Is this fee too financially burdensome on pet owners, particularly low-income pet owners?

A: The pet-food fee would be paid by the initial distributors of pet food in Washington. These distributors are typically the companies who register pet-food with WSDA; companies such as Menu Foods Nestle Purina, Del Monte Pet Products, and Hills Pet Nutrition, to name a few. Pet food retailers would not be responsible for the fee. Assuming the pet-food fee is ultimately passed along to pet food purchasers at the retail level, the direct impact would be $0.025 per pound of food purchased.

The other side of the coin is what benefits low-income pet owners stand to gain from the bill. First, they can obtain spay/neuter surgery for their cats and dogs for a very good price: no more than $10 for a cat spay/neuter surgery and no more than $20 for a dog spay/neuter surgery—the copayment amounts. As noted above, the actual price they might pay without such a subsidy could be several hundred dollars for one surgery, depending upon the animal's species, its weight, age, and condition.

Q: Will veterinarians wish to participate in this effort?

A: For this program to be successful, we need veterinarians throughout the state of Washington to participate. Because the program is entirely voluntary, the program was designed to minimize administrative burdens and ensure that fair and reasonable compensation is provided to participating veterinarians.

Q: I run a private veterinary clinic and wish to participate to help low-income pet owners obtain spay/neuter surgeries for their pets at a price they can afford. How would this work?

A: Very briefly, here is how that would work for a private veterinary clinic. (Please feel free to contact us at info@savewashingtonpets.org for additional details or clarification.)

1. The lead state agency would encourage private veterinary clinics to enroll as spay/neuter surgery providers, and ask them to provide their list of fees for performing spay/neuter surgeries.

2. The lead agency would review fees and establish brief agreements with veterinary clinics for performing spay/neuter surgeries. Fees that are usual, customary and reasonable are allowed as defined by the spay/neuter bill.

3. A person who is a pet owner and wishes to have his or her pets spayed or neutered under this program would go through a simple application process and provide verification that he or she is low income.

4. Applicants that are approved receive a voucher for spay/neuter surgery for his or her pets. That person may take his or her pets to any participating spay/neuter surgery provider. The pet owner would pay no more than $10 for each cat spay/neuter surgery and no more than $20 for each dog spay/neuter surgery--the copayment amounts.

5. The veterinary clinic would send invoices to the lead agency for reimbursement for spay/neuter surgeries performed under the program. Copies of approved spay/neuter surgery vouchers from clients would accompany the invoices.

6. The lead agency would pay the veterinary clinic for its services.

Q: What about other homeless animals--the ones in shelters and held by rescue groups--will they be eligible for support on spay/neuter surgery costs?

A: Priority will be given to supporting the costs of spay/neuter surgery for cats and dogs belonging to low-income individuals and for spay/neuter surgery for feral and free-roaming cats. However, if funds are available after meeting these priorities, funding may be used to support the costs of spay/neuter surgeries on cats and dogs in the possession of animal shelters, animal care and control agencies, and other animal welfare organizations. This might be particularly beneficial in dealing with emergencies, such as spay/neuter surgery for animals seized from puppy mills, rescued following natural disasters, or other events.

Q: My organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Is it legal for our organization to support this bill?

A: Yes, nonprofits can support legislation and lobby for its passage under the law. However, it is important to understand the rules regarding lobbying. For reference, we have included additional information on this website. Please see the Nonprofit Advocacy page.

Washington Alliance for Humane Legislation

Save Washington Pets: Spay/Neuter Assistance Legislation for Washington State