As of July 1, 2021, Indiana law requires that all companion animals are spayed or neutered before adoption from an animal care facility. This includes both governmental and private entities, such as rescue organizations. The law was passed to reduce the number of unwanted animals that suffer and die on the streets, decrease the risk to public health and safety, and reduce the cost to local governments for impounding and destroying animals. It is also more cost-effective to spay and neuter animals than to shelter them.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
State | Indiana |
Law | Indiana Code 15-20-4 |
Effective Date | July 1, 2021 |
Applicability | Companion animals, rescue groups, shelters, governmental and private entities |
Requirement | Spay/neuter before adoption |
Exemption | Animal's health does not allow for the procedure as determined by a veterinarian |
Deposit | $75 to be returned if the procedure is completed within 120 days, otherwise forfeited |
Forfeited Deposit Recipient | BMV Finance Department, Attn: Pet Friendly Services, Indianapolis |
Goal | Save lives and money, reduce shelter overpopulation and euthanasia |
Spay/Neuter Benefits | Cost-effective, addresses root cause of overpopulation, reduces intake and euthanasia rates |
Non-Compliance | No adequate law enforcement, but animal welfare groups hold each other accountable |
What You'll Learn
Spay/neuter before adoption
Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most important decisions you can make as a pet owner. It not only impacts their long-term health but also your finances. The simple procedure can increase your pet's lifespan and save you money on veterinary costs in the long run.
In Indiana, the state legislature unanimously passed House Enrolled Act 1201 in 2016, requiring rescue groups and shelters to spay or neuter animals before adoption, effective July 1, 2021. This law, known as IC 15-20-4, is a best practice in animal welfare and has been implemented in 33 other states. The goal of this legislation is to reduce shelter overpopulation and the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals, saving both lives and money.
The cost of shelter overpopulation in Indiana is significant. A 2016 report estimated that the cost of sheltering and euthanizing unwanted animals totalled $16.2 million for 40 of Indiana's 92 counties. This figure could be as high as $37 million if all counties reported. Additionally, shelters spend a substantial amount of money on each impounded animal, with costs ranging from $176 to $450 on average.
Spaying or neutering pets before adoption is a cost-effective solution. For example, Pet Friendly Services of Indiana offers a financial assistance program with a cost of just $65 per animal. This procedure addresses the root cause of shelter overpopulation and has been proven to reduce both shelter intake and euthanasia rates. It also helps curb unwanted behaviours in pets, such as urine-marking, roaming, and aggressive behaviour.
Spaying and neutering can also improve the health and longevity of your pets. Studies have shown that neutered male dogs live up to 18% longer, while spayed female dogs can live up to 26% longer. The procedure reduces the risk of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of developing reproductive system issues such as pyometra, a potentially fatal uterine infection.
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Exemptions to the law
The Indiana Code 15-20-4 outlines several exemptions to the spay-neuter law. These exemptions are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of the animal and are determined by a veterinarian. Here are the detailed exemptions:
- Permanent Health Condition: If a veterinarian determines that the companion animal has a permanent health condition that makes it unsafe to perform a spay-neuter procedure, the animal is exempt from the requirement.
- Temporary Health Condition: In cases where the veterinarian identifies a temporary health condition that precludes safe administration of the procedure, the animal is exempt temporarily. The veterinarian must determine that the health condition can be treated to allow for the procedure within 120 days of the examination.
- Age of the Animal: If the companion animal is less than six months old and the veterinarian decides that it is unsafe to perform the procedure due to their young age, they are exempt from the requirement until they reach an appropriate age. The animal care facility, in consultation with a veterinarian, determines this age.
- Deposit and Finalization of Adoption: While not explicitly an exemption, it's important to note that if an animal is exempt from immediate sterilization due to health or age, the adopter must make a $75 deposit to the animal care facility. This deposit is held separately and will be returned within 120 days if the procedure is completed or forfeited if it is not. This deposit helps ensure compliance and can be a requirement for finalizing the adoption.
It's worth mentioning that these exemptions are in place to prioritize the health and safety of the animals. The goal is to ensure that sterilization procedures are carried out safely and effectively, taking into account the individual circumstances of each companion animal.
Additionally, it's important to understand that while Indiana's spay-neuter law primarily targets shelters and rescue organizations, there are broader exemptions to mandatory sterilization requirements across different states. For example, animals used for breeding, hunting, or livestock production may be exempt in certain states. Dogs and cats released to specific agencies, such as the United States armed forces or law enforcement, may also be exempt from sterilization requirements in some jurisdictions.
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Deposits and refunds
In Indiana, a $75 deposit is required for an animal that is too young or whose health does not allow for the safe administration of a spay-neuter procedure. This deposit is held by the animal care facility in a separate account and is returned to the depositor within 120 days if the procedure has been completed. If the procedure is not completed, the deposit is forfeited to the BMV Finance Department.
In the state of Maine, if a licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician determines that a dog or cat is too sick, injured, or that it would be detrimental to the animal's health to be spayed or neutered within 30 days of placement, the animal shelter collects a deposit of at least $50 and no more than $150 at the time of sale or placement. The shelter determines the amount based on the cost of spaying or neutering within the geographic area it serves. The deposit is fully refunded upon receipt of proof of sterilization. If the animal dies before being spayed or neutered and within 120 days of the agreement being signed, the owner is entitled to reimbursement of the deposit.
In New York, a spay/neuter deposit must be left with the shelter unless the cost of the procedure was included in the adoption fee. The deposit is refunded upon presentation of written documentation from a licensed veterinarian that the procedure has been completed. If the animal is not sterilized due to old age or health reasons, the deposit will be refunded if a licensed veterinarian examining the animal certifies that sterilization would endanger its life.
In Oklahoma, the deposit required to ensure the sterilization of an animal is $10, while in New York, it is $35.
IndyHumane, a clinic in Indianapolis, Indiana, requires a non-refundable deposit per pet when scheduling an appointment for spaying or neutering. The deposit is applied to the pet's total bill, and the balance is due before the pet can go home. If a cancellation is made 72 hours or more in advance of the surgery, the deposit can be refunded or the appointment can be rescheduled without penalty. If a cancellation is made less than 72 hours in advance, the deposit is forfeited, and another deposit is required to schedule a new appointment.
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Funding for rescues and shelters
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana is a nonprofit organisation that has funded over 200,000 spay/neuter surgeries, saving hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs from euthanasia due to shelter overpopulation. They receive funding from specialty license plates, with every penny going towards supporting the work of rescue groups, shelters, and community cat programs across the state. They also fund surgeries for limited-income pet owners to ensure their pets are fixed.
Another source of funding for shelters and rescues is through corporate partners and foundations, as demonstrated by IndyHumane, which has been committed to helping central Indiana's pets in need since 1905.
Some shelters are funded by private donors and supporters, such as Rosie's Southside Animal Shelter, which is funded by donors and supporters who gift supplies and donations.
Other shelters may receive funding from online businesses, such as Rosie's Southside Animal Shelter, which is funded by Royal reels - Online Casino & Slots in Australia.
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Enforcement of the law
Indiana's spay/neuter law, which came into effect on July 1, 2021, applies to both governmental and private entities, including rescue organizations. The law requires that companion animals be spayed or neutered before adoption from an animal care facility.
The enforcement of this law is aimed at helping shelters and rescues succeed in saving both lives and money, rather than punishing them. While there may not be adequate law enforcement to ensure every rescue and shelter is in compliance, animal welfare groups tend to keep an eye on each other and hold one another accountable.
Violations of mandatory spay and neuter laws are punishable both civilly and criminally, with fines being the most common penalty for non-compliance. In some states, such as Oklahoma, failure to comply is considered a public or private nuisance, while around seven states consider it a misdemeanour. Fines vary widely across states, ranging from $25 in Louisiana to $500 in Alabama, Arkansas, and Maine. In addition to fines, ownership of the animal, the sterilization deposit, and any claim to expenses incurred in caring for the animal may be forfeited. The adopter's license to operate may also be temporarily or permanently revoked upon multiple offenses, as is the case in Rhode Island.
To ensure compliance with the law, animal welfare groups in Indiana work together to help each other. Pet Friendly Services of Indiana, for example, offers financial assistance to shelters that will begin spaying/neutering before adoption due to the law. They also provide model contract language that can be added to adoption contracts to strengthen the messaging that adoptions will be finalized prior to the spaying/neutering surgery.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the law applies to both governmental and private entities, including rescue organizations.
The law came into effect on July 1, 2021.
The goal is to reduce shelter overpopulation and the euthanasia of healthy and treatable cats and dogs.
Yes, an animal may be exempt if a veterinarian determines that the animal's health does not permit the safe administration of the procedure. In such cases, the adopter must pay a $75 deposit to the animal care facility before adoption, which is refunded if the procedure is completed within 120 days.
While there may not be adequate law enforcement to ensure compliance, animal welfare groups tend to hold each other accountable. The primary goal is to save lives and reduce suffering.