To reduce pet overpopulation and free-roaming animals, FACA urges local governments and protection agencies to institute or support programs that encourage owners of dogs and cats to have them sterilized. FACA supports the concept of early (8 -16 weeks of age) sterilization of dogs and cats, in an effort to stem overpopulation problems in these species.

FACA supports FL Statutes, Chapter 823.15: “The Legislature has determined that uncontrolled breeding of dogs and cats in the state results in the production of many more puppies and kittens than are needed to replace pet animals which have died or become lost or to provide pet animals for new owners. This leads to many dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens being unwanted, becoming strays and suffering privation and death, being impounded and destroyed at great expense to the community, and constituting a public nuisance and public health hazard. It is therefore declared to be the public policy of the state of Florida that every feasible means of reducing the production of unneeded and unwanted puppies and kittens be encouraged.”