Get Those Pets on the Pill

I have volunteered my time to animal humane activities and causes, since I was in high school. For some reason, I missed one of the newest things going. It's the movement to use oral contraceptives and implants as a method of sterilaztion for pets. This could be much cheaper than surgically spaying and neutering pets. There is an organization that is spearheading the research and ideas in this area. It is called The Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs. Here is what they do:

ACC&D is an international, collaborative effort to save the lives of dogs and cats and to reduce their numbers through developing non-surgical technologies for the humane control of cat and dog populations. Members represent the following collaborative interests: academics (research and teaching), animal welfare, veterinary practitioners, the pharmaceutical industry, funding foundations, and regulatory agencies.

Click HERE to view their mission statement.

They have an active petition campaign to encourage support for their mission.

Here is a snippet from the petition:

Imagine being able to sterilize your dog or cat without surgery or anesthesia, but with a simple injection. While a sterilization injection is not available yet, it will be. WHEN is a matter of how much the public pressures pharmaceutical companies, scientists, regulators and funders into developing the right tools. While many U.S. pet owners are able to afford and access spay/neuter surgery, it's often a different story for low-income pet owners and rural residents. Surgical sterilization is also logistically difficult and expensive for population control of un-owned animals, such as shelter animals and feral cats. An estimated five million cats and dogs die each year in US shelters alone.

I think this is a really good idea. It's definitely something that I'd like to research. I'm sure that it will take a while to get all of the details worked out, but the end means could be a great thing. I did sign the petition.