Experts estimate that one intact female dog and her offspring can potentially produce 67,000 dogs over six years. Multiply that by the millions of intact females in the United States and you’ve got an overpopulation problem.
Colorado has worked hard to educate communities about the importance of sterilizing their pets and our low number of homeless pets reflects those efforts. Another key factor in controlling pet overpopulation in Colorado is a law that requires all dogs and cats to be sterilized before being adopted out by animal shelters and rescues.
Several Colorado rescue organizations were taking advantage of an exception under the law resulting in thousands of unaltered animals being adopted every year. The adopters of these animals take on the responsibility of having the animal sterilized and oftentimes end up covering the cost of the procedure.
Modifications to the existing laws regarding Sterilization Requirements for Cats & Dogs were passed by Colorado legislators in February 2024, demonstrating their commitment to protecting animals and the humans that love them.
Click here to read our full evaluation of the proposed legislation.