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AFLP NEWSLETTER & DISCUSSION FORUM


"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it."

-- --Moliere 		(Note: The Concerns and Answers addressed at the end of the fact sheet.)

UTAH: H.B. 92, SPAY/NEUTER LICENSE PLATE – FACT SHEET

  • In 1999, there were 45,993 animals euthanized in public and private shelters in the state of Utah.

  • Salt Lake County Animal Services estimates that in 1998, it cost Salt Lake County taxpayers alone approximately $1.7 million to euthanize 8,680 “surplus” animals.

  • For every reduction of 1000 in the number of euthanasias per year, taxpayers could save approximately $200,000.

  • Decreasing the number of free roaming domestic animals reduces losses to property/livestock/poultry.

  • The plan is to distribute the spay/neuter funds to each area of the state based on the number of license plates sold in that area of the state. This will encourage local marketing of the license plates.

  • So far, over 1,500 signatures have been gathered from all over the state in support of this license plate.

  • Currently 11 other states have license plates that provide funding for animal sterilization programs: Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee and Virginia.

  • Utah's "Wildlife" Special Group license plates raised $132,000 last year alone.
  • New Jersey is raising $300,000 per year for animals with its specialty plate.
  • In its third year, Texas has raised over $300,000.
  • In ‘99-‘00 fiscal year, Virginia raised $93,000.
  • Tennessee has raised $100,000 in its first two years.


CONCERNS EXPRESSED AND ANSWERED DURING HOUSE DEBATE


CONCERN: There are just too many of these special license plates out there and we have to draw the line somewhere.

ANSWER: As mandated by Utah's DMV, there are only four license plate designs in the state of Utah (Centennial, Ski Utah, Olympic, and "Special Group"). ALL "Special Group" license plates, including the one proposed by this bill, share the same basic design with the only difference being the decal that is placed to the left of the numerals.

CONCERN: "Spay/Neuter" is not really an appropriate message to be displayed on a license plate.

ANSWER: You can see by the preliminary design on this page that the so-called "Spay/Neuter" license plate will not be distasteful in any way. In fact, the words "spay" and "neuter” do not even appear on the plate. The message conveyed by purchasers of this plate will simply be their compassion toward the plight of Utah's homeless companion animals.


[Reprinted with the permission of Utahans for Animals]

Prevent a Litter Coalition, Inc.
Post Office Box 9294, Reston, VA 20195