“Pet” License plate funds to help curb Ohio's pet overpopulation www.petsohio.com It took more than 4 years, but today, the Pet plate, Ohio's newest specialty license plate, passed the Ohio Legislature by much more than a wet nose. Senator Robert L. Schuler, R-Cincinnati sponsored the Bill The Pet plates will cost motorists $25 in addition to standard license fees.  By state law $10 of the fee goes to the bureau of motor vehicles.  $15 will go to the Ohio Pet Fund.  Proceeds from the sale of the plate will be used for the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats to curb Ohio's pet overpopulation. Funds will also be used to educate the public about the proper veterinary care of those pets.                   Nationally syndicated cartoonist Jenny Campbell of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, designed the artwork for the plate. While the plate displays a cartoon image of a comical dog and a cat looking out a car window, Senator Schuler explains there is a very serious side to the plate.     “It is estimated that 4-6 million dogs and cats are destroyed each year in animal shelters across the country.  According to a survey by Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, two-thirds of the homeless dogs and cats taken in by animal shelters are euthanized; only one-fourth are adopted.” Representative Patricia Clancy R-Cincinnati says it’s a tragic cycle. “We can't adopt our way out of the homeless animal problem.   We'd each have to adopt 45 cats and 15 dogs to deal with the crisis, and that's just not going to happen.  We need to focus on the root of the problem.  Spay/neuter stops the breeding cycle." “One simple solution to the problem is just not letting our family dogs and cats breed,” says Peggy Kaplan with The Ohio Pet Fund, the nonprofit corporation that will benefit from the sale of the plates.   "Spay/neuter not only reduces overpopulation, but also has health benefits for the animals and reduces annoying behaviors like spraying, fighting, and going into heat.  But some people can't afford the cost of the spay/neuter surgery.  The funds from the sale of the plate will help shelters neuter their animals before adoption, help fix stray cats, and assist limited income families with the cost of surgery." And there are plenty of adoptable puppies, kittens, dogs and cats to go around.  There has been wide spread support for the Bill by reputable breeders who will help in determining how the funds are distributed.  They too agree that something has to be done to curb the amount of “backyard breeders” whose puppies end up in our shelters. "Currently over 4 million dogs and cats live in Ohio households.  While those numbers may reflect our affection for pets, the pet overpopulation problem is ongoing, not just in shelters but in humane societies, foster and breed rescue groups and on our own streets,” Kaplan says. The Ohio Pet Fund does not anticipate funding until late 2005 or early 2006. Once enough money is raised, The Fund will offer a grant application to municipal shelters, nonprofit humane societies, rescue organizations and veterinary associations.  Through these organizations, funding will also be able to help individuals who meet the qualifying guidelines for having their pets spayed or neutered. “The more plates we sell, the more dogs and cats we can help. Who knows, maybe one day Ohio may become known as a state where there are no more homeless pets,” Kaplan says. To learn how more about the “Pet” plate or to be notified of the plate's release date, visit the website at http://www.petsohio.com/.