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Reducing the Number of Unaltered Animals

Getting Problem Owners to Alter Their Pets

Because 65% of the cats and dogs reclaimed from the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center in Springfield, MA were going back into the community intact, the city adopted "Spay or Pay" ordinances. Owners of at-large animals have a powerful financial incentive to have their animals - those most at risk for breeding, biting, and a variety of public health issues - altered.
"The most important thing is to make sure you're actually targeting your problem animals and owners. If you're punishing innocent and law-abiding people, your laws will fail."
T.J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center

What It Takes

  • Good data on the animals coming into the facility.
  • An understanding of the governmental structure and legislative process.
  • Access to low-cost spay/neuter surgeries.
  • About 1 year to plan and get new ordinances passed.

What We Like

Without penalizing responsible owners or singling out breeds or species, the Springfield, MA ordinances focus only on problem animals (free-roaming intact dogs with statistical potential to bite and free-roaming unaltered cats).

Step by Step

  1. Download the complete profile (.pdf)
  2. Assess for yourself whether this program is right for your agency.
  3. Use the profile to create and implement a plan for your agency.
  4. Tell us how it goes.
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Springfield Animal Ordinances