New Mexico Lawmakers Want To Help Pet Owners Pay For Spay and Neuter - National Humane Education Society

Paws Up!
January 5, 2018

To Reps. Carl Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, and Debbie Rodella, D-Española for introducing bill to remove financial barriers between pet owners and vital spay and neuter surgeries.

According a recent news article, Reps. Trujillo and Rodella have introduced H.B. 64, that would raise $800,000.00 to help New Mexican residents may for spay and neuter surgeries for their pets. The funds would come from a proposed on commercial pet food registration fees. Currently, pet food wholesalers pay $2 per label. The bill would raise the fee to $98 per label. Rep. Trujillo estimates that the fund could pay for spay and neuter of up to 10,000 animals every year in New Mexico.

If passed into law, the state’s Animal Sheltering Sub-Committee would oversee the program to help low-income New Mexicans with help spaying and neutering their pets. Homeless and unwanted pets suffer greatly, and cost the state. In 2012, public and private shelters in New Mexico accepted 135,000 unwanted pets. About 67,000 of them were destroyed.

Several other states, including Maine, West Virginia, and Maryland, have passed similar legislation to raise funds for spay and neutering services.

Take action. New Mexico residents, contact your representatives and urge them to support H.B. 64. Feel free to use NHES’ sample letter below when sending correspondence.

 Re: H.B. 64 To Fund Spay/Neuter Program for Low-Income New Mexicans

Dear Representative [Last Name],

My name is [Your Name] and I am a New Mexico resident writing to express my support of H.B. 64, which would raise pet food label fees to help pay for the spay and neuter surgeries of pets belonging to low-income state residents. There are far too many companion animals in New Mexico and not enough responsible homes or even animal rescues to care for them. As a result, about 67,000 animals were euthanized in New Mexico in 2012. Other pets who remain in homes, but are unwanted nonetheless are banished to life on a chain and deprived of basic care by owners who cannot pay for pet food and vet bills because their dog had puppies they cannot afford. Other animals are left to roam at large, where they are pose a public safety risk.  New Mexicans need access to affordable spay and neuter for their pets, and the money must come from somewhere. Please, support H.B. 64.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]