Dear Governor Stitt and others,

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the severe overpopulation of dogs in our community and to request your support in addressing this pressing issue. Our cities face significant challenges with stray dogs, abandoned pets, and overcrowded shelters, which are further exacerbated by certain housing laws and the practices of stores that sell dogs from puppy mills.

Frequently, we see dogs abandoned and starving to death, dead or suffering bodies in the streets, and 1000s of euthanasia’s per year. Many citizens suffering PTSD from the suffering they have seen, terrified a stray may endanger their families or family pets, heartbroken over the incredibly high euthanasia rates at local shelters, and devastated by having to give their dogs over to the bleak future of the shelter because they cannot afford to keep their dogs due to high pet rents and breed or size restrictions. 

I urge you to consider implementing the following measures to improve the welfare of dogs and support responsible pet ownership in our communities:

1. **Mandatory Spay and Neuter Laws**: Introducing legislation that requires pet owners to spay and neuter their dogs, except in specific, justified cases such as for licensed breeders where the purchased puppies would require spay or neuter before sale but the breeder would not have to spay/neuter the producing animals, would significantly reduce the number of accidental litters and abandoned animals. This measure has been successfully adopted in various other regions and has proven effective in controlling the pet population.

2. **Ban on Retail Sales of Dogs from Puppy Mills**: Many pet stores, such as Petland, often source their animals from inhumane puppy mills where dogs are bred in poor conditions without regard for their health and well-being. Banning the sale of dogs in pet stores and promoting adoption from shelters and rescue organizations would help curb this unethical practice and encourage more humane treatment of animals.

3. **Reformed Housing Laws for Dog Owners**: Current housing regulations often force responsible pet owners to surrender their beloved pets due to restrictive policies. I advocate for more balanced housing laws that accommodate pet ownership, such as allowing for reasonable pet deposits or a capped pet rent rather than outright ban, and  banning size and breed restrictions. These changes would prevent unnecessary separation of pets from their families and reduce the burden on local shelters.

4. **Repeal of Laws Allowing Unlicensed Backyard Breeders: The current law permitting backyard breeders to breed up to 10 females without a license should be repealed. All breeders should be licensed and required to pay sales tax to support our pounds. Furthermore, every breeder should ensure that the animals they bring into this world are spayed and neutered. Breeders should submit a report to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for monitoring breeders. If the owner of a dog from the breeder’s litter cannot produce proof from a vet that their animal was fixed, they should be required to register and pay for a breeder’s license as well, as they will ultimately contribute to the overpopulation problem with unwanted litters.

These proposed measures are not only humane but also economically sensible, as they can reduce the costs associated with managing overpopulated shelters and stray animals. By working together to enact these changes, we can create a safer, more compassionate environment for both our citizens and our pets.

I am confident that with your leadership, we can address the overpopulation crisis and foster a community that values and protects its animals. I appreciate your attention to this matter and am available for any further discussion or assistance needed to move these initiatives forward.

Thank you for your consideration.