Quote Originally Posted by Aspen and Misty
However, this is what I think they should do:
I think they should create a temporary license that if purchased will allow a pur-bred dog to remain intact till the age of two. During the 2 years that the dog is intact it has to gain some kind of titles and pass all the necessary test (hips, eyes, elbows etc). If they do both of these and the dog's hips, eye, elbow test come out good and the person still want to keep the dog intact then they can buy a license that will allow the dog to remain intact for the rest of it's life. However if they have not done anything with the dog or the dog does not get good ratings on the test then they should not be allowed to purchase the full license and they should have to spay or neuter.
Kudos to you because that is a wonderful plan, but the honest truth is that the government lacks the time and money to do any of that. IMO, the bill won't work. It targets the wrong group.

Look at licensing. It may have cut down rabies (but I fully believe that is because of responsible veterinarians), but I know MANY dogs who are not licensed. This honestly sounds like a ploy for money. I don't like it. I think it targets the wrong group entirely. They're also skewed as to what dog qualifies as an exception. I know a grey who has epilepsy and other health problems and, thus, cannot be neutered. Because of his disease, he's required to pay $100-$150 dollars every year? I know all his medications and tests have made a huge dent in his owner's pocket, and, yeah, I'd be mad if I was forced to pay that fee because my dog had a health problem. Heck, I don't even know if he would qualify for the permit because he's not registered with the AKC. He's not even reg'd with the NGA. And, come on, folks, the American Dog Breeders Association? It's going to become puppy mill haven! I don't think this bill is going to do a d@mned thing with pet overpopulation. Licensing tried to cut down on the population as a sort of side-effect. Look where it got us. It didn't work. I honestly don't think this will either.

ETA: Ontariogreys, you're right. It would wipe out the rarer breeds. I also know that there is a large amount of Chart Polski in California (I believe their group is centered around northern CA), and I shudder to think of what will happen to them if this bill passes. I also know that there is a large amount of Silken Windhounds here, as well. Of course, they could probably just register with the "American Dog Breeders Association"... ugh.