As animal shelters in Colorado grapple with reaching full capacity, a coalition of rights groups has united to address the escalating issue, prompting state lawmakers to mull over a proposed bill aimed at fortifying the existing sterilization law.
Previous coverage by CBS News Colorado highlighted the exploitation of loopholes by certain rescue organizations, colloquially known as “retail rescues” or “puppy flippers,” who import thousands of puppies annually from out-of-state locations. Taking advantage of a legal loophole, these groups can sell the animals immediately upon arrival, bypassing the mandatory spaying and neutering requirements.
While the current law prohibits shelters and rescues from releasing non-sterilized animals, exemptions exist. The Commissioner of Agriculture can waive sterilization in areas with a shortage of veterinarians, and veterinarians themselves can grant exemptions if they believe sterilization might jeopardize the animal’s health or life.
Animal rights activists allege that some unscrupulous rescues, with the assistance of veterinarians, exploit the “health” exemption. Elizabeth Coalson from the National Canine Rescue Group testified in support of a proposed bill that seeks to limit exemptions to cases where a veterinarian declares in writing that the animal’s life is at risk.
Under the bill, facilities importing unsterilized dogs or cats would be ineligible for any exemption. Coalson emphasized that Colorado’s three largest rescues had imported a staggering 25,000 puppies in the last six years, potentially adding millions to the state’s pet population.
The Denver Dumb Friends League echoed these concerns, testifying in favor of the bill as it coped with an unprecedented influx of unsterilized animals in the past year, resulting in overcrowded shelters.
Despite unanimous support from the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the bill’s fate remains uncertain. Senator Larry Liston, the bill’s sponsor, disclosed potential opposition from Governor Jared Polis, who threatened a veto unless amendments reinstating the health exemption for imported animals were made. The committee chair, a Democrat, urged the governor to testify if he had reservations about the bill, and the committee ultimately passed it without amendments.
