Dogs that have been spayed or neutered are less expensive to license in Santa Cruz County. Cats howl, pace and scratch to get Out of the house at all hours of the day and night in order to find a mate. Walking a female dog in heat is like going into battle. Over a million dollars in tax money is spent on animal control in Santa Cruz County. It is costly to house, care for and, ultimately, destroy this county's unwanted companion animals.
Irresponsible breeding creates stray animals, which are a public health and safety concern.
No one likes to think about healthy, beautiful, affectionate cats and dogs, puppies and kittens, losing their lives because no one wants them. Your Santa Cruz SPCA offers food. Our Animal Care Technicians care very much about these animals. Euthanasia protects the unwanted ones from the pain of life without companionship, but a better solution is to limit the number of animals being born until the population of pets equals the population of people who want and can care for them. Santa Cruz County ordinance requires that your dog or cat must be spayed or neutered if they are 6 months or older.