ALLEY CAT ALLIES SURVEYS ALABAMA VETERINARIANS ON SUPPORT OF SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC MEASURE

One-third of Respondents Oppose the Proposed Rules by the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners


BETHESDA, MD – Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats, today reported on answers from a poll of Alabama’s veterinary clinics regarding their support of nonprofit spay/neuter clinics in the state.

The results come just one day before the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is set to vote on a set of rules that would make the state’s nonprofit spay/neuter clinics illegal.

“These nonprofit veterinary clinics provide thousands of low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter surgeries to pets of low-income families and animal rescue groups. Closing these clinics would be a disaster for Alabama,” said Becky Robinson, president and co-founder of Alley Cat Allies.

“The poll results show that there are a number of veterinarians who understand that these clinics are essential in the uphill battle of saving animals’ lives,” said Robinson. “Now we want the people of Alabama to be informed consumers and know whether or not their veterinarian supports low-cost spay/neuter.”

While one-third of respondents oppose the measure and support the nonprofit clinics, just under one-third support the measure, some claiming business competition from nonprofit clinics as their reason. However, Alley Cat Allies’ nonprofit clinic contacts say they provide surgeries for underserved populations who can’t afford it, including low-income families and grassroots animal rescue and feral cat groups.

More troubling, the poll results reveal that many clinics refused to take a stand on the issue: one-third of respondents gave no comment, and the majority of clinics failed to respond to our repeated calls.

On our website, www.SaveAlabamaSpayNeuter.com citizens can find their veterinarian’s response. Citizens are encouraged to call to thank them for opposing the state board’s measure or to ask them to take a stand in support of low-cost spay/neuter for Alabama’s animals.

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About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has nearly a half a million supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities, and organizations save and improve the lives of cats and kittens nationwide. Their web site is www.alleycat.org.