Veterinarians Oppose Mandatory Spay/Neuter Laws
Veterinarians Oppose Mandatory Spay/Neuter Laws
More reasons why mandatory spaying and neutering, especially for very young animals, is a bad idea.
Veterinarians oppose mandatory spay/neuter laws. Past president of the California Veterinary Medical Assocation, Dr. John Hamil, wrote:
“It is inappropriate to mandate a controversial and possibly life threatening surgical procedure. As CVMA has argued in the past, decisions of this magnitude should be made after consultation between the owner and their veterinarian.”
DVM Newsmagazine reports that the CVMA withdrew support for a mandatory spay/neuter law because of opposition from CVMA member veterinarians and the veterinary community, and: A poll of regional veterinary medical associations throughout the state [of California] revealed a majority opposed the pet-sterilization mandate and CVMA’s sponsorship of the initiative.
A recent American Veterinary Medical Association report invalidates the claim by mandatory spay/neuter supporters that pets should be spayed or neutered for population control reasons, and invalidates the claim that spay and neuter is always healthy for pets. The report finds adverse effects from spay and neuter include increased risks of aggression, prostate cancer, bone cancer, bladder cancer, hemangiosarcoma, obesity, diabetes, ligament rupture, and complications from surgery.
After reviewing the risks and benefits associated with spay/neuter of cats and dogs, the AVMA report concludes:
“Pets should be considered individually, with the understanding that for these pets, population control is a less important concern than is the health of each animal….veterinarians and owners must consider the benefits and detriments of gonadectomy for each animal… It behooves us as veterinarians dedicated to the provision of the best possible care for animals to educate clients and evaluate each animal carefully when making recommendations regarding gonadectomy.”
The recommendation from America’s leading association of veterinarians is that the best interests of each individual patient should determine whether or when a pet should be spayed or neutered, because there are adverse health and behavioral effects that need to be weighed against benefits. This is a medical decision, to be decided by a pet owner in consultation with their veterinarian. One size does not fit all, and should not be mandated by government.
