Pet owners in St. Tammany Parish who do not spay or neuter their cats and dogs could face possible fines under an ordinance the Parish Council adopted Thursday.
“I'm ecstatic. I think it's really good, solid legislation,” said Rob Bremer, director of St. Tammany Parish Animal Services, which operates the parish's no-kill shelter.
Bremer said the ordinance will help reduce the burden on the parish's shelter, which is currently over capacity by about 60 dogs. “It's going to help keep cats and dogs at home,” he said.
Under the new ordinance, which takes effect March 21, pet owners can also seek a waiver from the parish that allows them to keep their animals “intact.” Enforcement would only occur if an animal is impounded by the parish because of the violation of another ordinance, such as if the animal is running loose, Bremer said.
Few members of the public showed up at the council's meeting on Thursday to speak either in support or against the ordinance. Scott Bernier, the CEO of Northshore Humane Society, praised the ordinance and said the various shelters in the parish house about 600 animals at any given time.
When the council initially introduced the ordinance back in November, it received intense scrutiny from the public.
Some accused the parish of “government overreach.” Others questioned the ordinance's effectiveness, citing the findings of animal rescue organizations like the ASPCA, which has not found evidence that mandatory spay and neuter laws are effective in curbing the population of unwanted animal populations.
Critics also said the fines would unfairly burden low-income pet owners, essentially punishing people for not being able to afford to sterilize their animals.
The fines in the original ordinance ranged from $150 to $300, depending on whether it was a first or second offense. That money was going to be used to fund a voucher program that helped people pay for spaying and neutering.
The council ultimately agreed the fines were “too onerous,” said Council member Jeff Corbin, and lowered them.
Now, the fines range between $25 and $150. They will still be used to pay for the voucher program, which, after the initial meeting, got an additional $125,000 in the 2025 budget, bringing the total funds available in the voucher program to $200,000.
The voucher program could also change, Corbin said. Under the current voucher program, residents are responsible for paying $65 to spay or neuter a dog and $20 for a cat, while the parish covers the veterinarian's remaining costs. But the parish might try to establish a coupon program to expand the options available to residents.
The council adopted the ordinance in a 12-1 vote, with Council member David Cougle casting the lone dissenting vote.
Cougle questioned whether the ordinance would reduce the shelter population.
“We’re giving it our best shot,” Corbin said in a phone interview Friday, adding that the council is open to changing the ordinance if it doesn’t work. “If we identify an opportunity for improvement, let’s do it.”
