By Janice Podsada
Herald Writer
EDMONDS — The Edmonds City Council voted 4-3 to quash an ordinance Tuesday night that would have required its animal shelter to spay or neuter any cat or dog before it could be adopted.
Council Member Michael Plunkett, who introduced the measure, Dave Orvis and council president Dave Earling voted for the failed ordinance.
The main reason it failed was that the business that handles the city’s animals threatened to pull out if the measure passed.
Adix’ Bed and Bath for Dogs and Cats, a private business owned by Jim and Lynn Adix, have provided animal shelter and adoption services for Edmonds for four years.
The kennel owners have said it isn’t their responsibility to ensure that every animal that is adopted is spayed or neutered before it goes out the door. That’s up to the individual pet owner.
The practice would increase business costs, Lynn Adix said.
"I believe in spay and neuter, but we’re trying to run a business. And we want to make sure the animals have a good home."
Lynn Adix said she would be happy to pass out spay or neuter vouchers to customers seeking to adopt.
Before the vote, Adix said the kennel would consider stopping its services to the city if the ordinance passed.
Plunkett, on the other hand, said that the city of Seattle, King County and Pierce County animal shelters do not allow unaltered animals to be adopted until they are spayed or neutered.
Everett, however, allows unaltered animals to be adopted.
"It would be ideal if all the animals were fixed," Everett Animal Shelter director John DeWispelaere said.
"Just because we’re letting some go out of here unaltered doesn’t mean that we are greatly contributing to the (overpopulation) problem."
DeWispelaere said it costs $40 to adopt an animal from the shelter, but $20 is refunded when the animal is spayed or neutered.
Plunkett said shelters that put unaltered animals up for adoption are contributing to an overpopulation of dogs and cats.
"They’re putting dogs and cats out there that are unaltered, and those animals are having litters."
Plunkett said Edmonds and the Progressive Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) in Lynnwood have established a fund to help low-income pet owners pay for spay and neuter services.
Council members opposed to the ordinance said they were concerned that if Adix withdrew its services, the city would have to pay two to three times the amount to someone else to provide shelter for stray or owner-surrendered animals.
"We didn’t want to let that happen," said Deanna Dawson, a council member who voted against the measure.
You can call Herald Writer Janice Podsada at 425-339-3029 or send e-mail to podsada@heraldnet.com.
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