Interesting article in the Portland Press Herald today. Starting in October registered dog breeders and pet stores are being charged a $25. surcharge for each puppy sold. The money will go directly to fund spay/neuter programs.

I have to comment on these two quotes:

Breeders can avoid paying the fee by spaying or neutering the animals before they are sold.

"But if we spay or neuter them," St. Hilaire said, "they can't be registered with the (American Kennel Club). That brings down the value of the puppy."

Foss added that she considers it unsafe to spay or neuter a puppy younger than eight weeks old, the age when her dogs are typically sold.

While many shelters now spay and neuter puppies at very young ages before placement, there is a debate concerning the long term health effects of very early spay. During a web search, all I could find was positive information in favor of spay and nueter at any age. If anyone has a link to a study that shows otherwise, I would be interested in seeing it.

The comment claiming that dogs who are spayed or neutered cannot be registered with the AKC is true, BUT did you know it is possible to register dogs and compete with them in AKC sanctioned events even if they are purebred strays through the

Indefinite Listing Privilege better know as ILP.

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