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Animal advocates urge action to save spay/neuter program for low-income pet owners

By Billie Owens

Here's a press release about helping animals. It was sent out by ASPCA -- the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals -- and forwarded to us by Volunteers for Animals of Genesee County:

"There is still time to save low-income spay/neuter! Last week, we contacted you about New York’s proposed 2010-2011 Executive Budget, which seeks to eliminate a statewide program called the Animal Population Control Program (APCP) but includes no plan to replace it. We need to ask you to contact your legislators once more — even if you already e-mailed them last week, please do so again.

We’ve set up our online letter-sending system to fax your senator and assemblyperson, since their staffs have informed us that for this issue, this is the best way to get your opinions heard. We also hope you can take a minute to call Governor Paterson at (518) 474-8390 to urge amendment of the proposed Executive Budget to save the statewide spay/neuter program for low-income New Yorkers' animals.

As you know, animal-control resources are already stretched to their limits — and without a pet-sterilization program to meet the needs of low-income New Yorkers, the number of unwanted dog and cat births in our state will skyrocket, leading to further overcrowding in shelters and increased euthanasia.

Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to fax your state legislators about saving the state’s low-cost spay/neuter program.

Thank you, New York, for caring about our state’s neediest animals."

william tapp

why should tax payers pay for some else s pets, if they cant afford a pet then don't get one, that simple, i for one am tired if paying for every one hardships. if i cant afford to take care of my pet i take it to the shelter or i will not get a pet. we the tax payers are getting close to the line on all these pay outs for poor people, im so going to be one my self after obama care .tax payers are at the end of there rope

Mar 22, 2010, 4:58pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

What a great opportunity for the animals, and their owners. Its, I believe, over 100 dollars to have the animals spayed or neutered. Some people just cant afford to have it done, but, there are some who can, and dont anyways. I can say, "at least the animals are being considered", and not just simply forgotten by society.
This is a good thing. I am a Hard-Core Animal Lover.
Bill, I also hear what your saying too. If you dont own a pet, why should you pay. Thats the exactly the way I feel about owners, letting their dogs poop it up, all over my yard. Why should I have to clean it up., and get it on my shoes, when I dont own a dog? (>;

Mar 22, 2010, 6:19pm Permalink
Bonnie Klein

I am so tired of paying for low income....what about MIDDLE INCOME? Low income gets everything given to them and they seem to think they need more....I don't think so. It is the same as receiving BENEFITS from NYS....if you can't afford the kids, STOP HAVING THEM; if you can't afford the caring of animals, DON'T HAVE THEM! How much more are we able to take. I am tired of paying for LOW INCOME, get out and get a another JOB! Go without to pay your bills, I HAVE TOO!

Mar 22, 2010, 6:42pm Permalink
Bob Harker

Karen, I too am a "hardcore" pet lover. We have 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a potbellied pig that live in the house. Horses, miniature horses, llamas, and assorted fowl live in the barn.

If we could not afford to care for them, they wouldn't be here. Entitlements and the "gimme 'cause I'm poor" mentality has got to go.

Personal responsibility for one's lot in life - where did it go?

Mar 22, 2010, 8:22pm Permalink
Jennifer Keys

There should be personal responsibility, however, the reality is that some people get pets and then can't afford to get them "fixed" then their pets have babies and then what happens to the babies?

What is the alternative?

Rescinding the subsidy isn't going to prevent people who can't afford it from getting cats and dogs. Then what?

Mar 23, 2010, 5:13pm Permalink

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