A new law is being proposed in Indiana which would impose a $50 fee on the sale of each unsterilized dog or cat sold in a retail store. The law also creates a new program, the Companion Animal Sterilization Program, which would be funded by the fee. Residents would be able to make tax deductible contributions to the fund.
The new program would reimburse veterinary services providers who furnish spay or neutering services on a dog or a cat owned by a Medicaid recipient at no charge to the Medicaid recipient.
The law is currently pending in the House. Similar programs, without the retail fee, have been implemented in other states including Maine, Michigan and New Hampshire.
Some pet industry organizations are organizing opposition to the legislation, citing increased costs and hardships for retailers and consumers. What do you think?
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