FLORIDA CITIZEN ACTION ALERT!!


Please help stop suffering and needless euthansia of healthy, loving companion animals in Hillsborough County, FL by signing this petition and supporting the upcoming ordinance proposal to limit breeding and sales of puppies and kittens.

In 2011 in Hillsborough County, FL approximately 800 dogs and 900 cats entered Hillsborough County Animal Services shelter EVERY MONTH. Of those, over 13,000 cats and dogs were euthanized in 2011 or almost 50% of dogs and over 80% of cats. Most were healthy, loving animals. Thanks to new shelter programs such as offsite adoption events, promotions, a foster program, and more, this is a huge improvement over the 98% kill rate 5 years ago. However, the euthanization rate seems to have plateaued despite the best efforts of shelter employees and local rescue groups and animal welfare advocates. There are simply too many animals for the number of available homes and the best marketing in the world is not going to convince someone to adopt that heartworm positive middle aged mixed breed over the fluffy puppies being produced by far too many backyard breeders and irresponsible owners who allow "accidental" pregnancies.

In an effort to reduce the pet population and hold people accountable and responsible for the animals they choose to produce, we, the undersigned, support restrictions on the breeding and sales of puppies and kittens in Hillsborough County to incude:

• Anyone in Hillsborough County who breeds or allows their owned animal to produce even 1 litter of puppies and kittens must have a breeders license

• All puppies and kittens offered for sale must be microchipped (except for medical exemptions by a qualified vet) and the breeders name must be registered on the microchip

• All advertisements for the sale of puppies and kittens must include the breeders license number in the ad

• Any breeder who refuses to reclaim any animal in the shelter whose microchip goes back to them will loose their breeders license (why should taxpayers have to be on the hook for the animals an irresponsible breeder produces?)

We as humane citizens want to see the needless euthansia of healthy and loving pets stopped. We as taxpayers should not have to pay for irresponsible breeders and owners.