Spay/Neuter Bill Update - 2013 Legislative Session

Background of the Spay/Neuter Assistance Bill

In Washington, a Spay/Neuter Assistance Bill was introduced in the 2009 legislative session to provide a statewide spay/neuter assistance program. However, the bill did not pass during the 2009, 2010, 2011 or 2012 legislative sessions. New bills have been introduced in the 2013 legislative session: House Bill 1229 and Senate Bill 5202.

The goal of the bill is to help fund spay/neuter surgeries on cats and dogs belonging to low-income residents of our state, and on feral and free-roaming cats. The bill does not make spay/neuter surgery mandatory. 

For more information on the spay/neuter bill, read this flyer that explains the bill, and this flyer which summarizes the financial benefits of passing this bill.  

Current Status of the Spay/Neuter Assistance Bill

SB 5202 was passed on the Senate floor on March 13 and has now moved to the House for consideration. The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies is working closely with our colleagues at the Washington Alliance for Humane Legislation to now shepherd the bill through the House of Representatives. The substitute bill has an alternate funding source that we do not believe will be sufficient, so we working with legislators to pursue workable, adequate funding options.

How You Can Help

Stay tuned for more news and for future requests to contact your legislators about this important bill.  Here’s how you can identify your district and representatives to express support for this bill.

If you have more questions, or you would like to sign up to receive the latest news on this bill, please visit savewashingtonpets.org.