Seaside considers a mandatory ordinance to spay or neuter cats and dogs

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The City of Seaside will be discussing an ordinance Thursday that would require all domestic cats and dogs to be spayed or neutered. If it passes, this ordinance would be the first of its kind in the Monterey County.

The city said that they've seen an increasing number of cats and dogs turned in to the SPCA, including both kittens and puppies.

Many of the cats and dogs are found on vacant lots near the Chili's restaurant, and then taken to the SPCA, according to the City of Seaside.

"70% of cats that enter Monterey County shelters are euthanized each year," wrote Seaside staff in a report previewing the Thursday decision. "Sadly, more animals are euthanized every year than are adopted."

In response to the over-abundance of rescued pets, the city says that dogs over six months old and cats over five months old may meet spay or neuter requirements.

The city says that they are aware of potentially expensive veterinarian care costs (citing $300 to over $1,500 per pet), but they haven't addressed any possible solutions yet.

In the staff report, the City of Seaside says, "a female cat and her offspring can be responsible for over 57,000 kittens being born from just one un-spayed female cat," and that "one female and one male dog can create 16 puppies during the first year and in just six years' time, she and her offspring can be responsible for 67,000 puppies being born."

They hope considering implementing this ordinance will significantly cut down on the number of euthanized cats and dogs yearly.

Seaside also announced that dogs who are being trained by law enforcement will be exempt from this ordinance.