Return to Owner

Every animal care and control agency and animal shelter wishes they were able to return more stray animals to loving homes—and that more animals didn’t stray in the first place. A relatively new concept, “spay or pay,” targets intact animals who end up in animal control or at an animal shelter. Their owners can choose between a hefty reclaim fee and a modest payment to have their pet spayed or neutered.

T.J. O'Connor Adoption Center: Spay or Pay
This animal control and adoption center in Springfield, MA makes owners of intact strays an offer that's hard to refuse. The result is fewer intact animals at large -- and owners who place a higher value on their pets.

Town Lake Animal Center: Spay or Pay
Owners of intact stray animals avoid a costly fine and get their animal back. The community benefits from having one less breeding animal at large.

Calgary Animal Services: Successful Dog Licensing
The city of Calgary, Alberta, has a dog licensing program that has a 90% compliance rate. This is turn means an exceptional save rate of 97% for impounded dogs. Find out how they do it.

Spokane County: Pet Licensing Campaign
Inspired by Calgary’s great program, Spokane County Regional Animal Care and Protection Services (SCRAPS) created a pet license campaign that immediately increased the numbers of licensed animals and raised on-going funds for spay/neuter assistance.

Fremont Animal Services: Effective Licensing Enforcement
The City of Fremont Animal Services has developed an innovative approach to license enforcement through automated citations which has increased compliance, involved local veterinarians and increased revenue!