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Idea to send: |
| Topic | Animal Control |
| Content | It's no secret that the stray animal population in Oklahoma is out of control. Animal Shelters are packed full and under-funded, and strays roam the streets in EVERY Oklahoma town and city. Here are a few ideas to get that under control:
1. Issue a breeder's license for "pet" (canine and feline) animal breeders, and require registration of each litter. Tax every litter beyond a predetermined amount. Make it a crime punishable by fine to breed without a license or sell unregistered animals. Use the money gained from the license, the taxing, and the fines to help fund animal shelters and spaying/neutering programs.
2. Make all fees associated with the initial adoption, shots, and registration of a pet tax deductable, to promote this option over direct purchase from breeders.
3. Spay and Neuter ALL incoming animals into a shelter. To accomplish this, have local colleges' and universities' veterinary students perform the operations free of cost, as part of their curriculum, and earn college credit for it. For example, 3 hours of college credit toward their veterinary degree for every X number of spay/neuter operations performed. Make this service also open to privately owned pets at a minimal (and tax deductible) fee, and make the service known in the community.
4. Breeders caught and convicted of animal cruelty or abuse, or in excessive and regular violation of breeding licenses, taxation and registration, should permanently lose their right to breed and sell these animals.
5. An annual program should be presented to elementary age school children about the importance of pet adoption and pet responsibility, including proper treatment and spaying/neutering. This program could also be provided for free by vet students, and earn them partial college credit toward their degree. |
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