CHICAGO VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 

P.O. Box 5017 Oak Brook, IL 60522-5017 Phone: 630/325-1231 Fax: 630/325-4043 Email: cvma@chicagovma.org 
PRESIDENT 

Shannon Greeley, DVM 

PRESIDENT-ELECT 

Yuval Nir, DVM 

SECRETARY 

Elizabeth Cutright, DVM 

TREASURER 

Bala Rengaragan, DVM 

PAST PRESIDENT 

Kathleen Heneghan, DVM 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
3-YEAR 

Georgianne Ludwig, DVM 
David Gonsky, DVM 
Gurdial Basran, DVM 

2-YEAR 

Ajaz Alvi, DVM 
Natalie Marks, DVM 
David Saidel, DVM 

1-YEAR 

Lori Civello, DVM 
Alexis Newman, DVM 

ISVMA REPRESENTATIVES 

Susan Ferraro, DVM 
Todd Florian, DVM 
Paul Arndt, DVM 
Steve Cairo, DVM 

STAFF 

Richard Susralski 
Office Administrator 

LEGAL COUNSEL 

Norm Bloch 

CVMA POSITION ON MANDATORY SPAY/NEUTER 

WHEREAS, in the State of Illinois, only licensed veterinarians are legally allowed to perform the medical/surgical 
procedures of ovariohysterectomy/ovariectomy and orchiectomy, which are also known as ÒgonadectomyÓ or 
ÒsterilizationÓ and also customarily regarded as "spaying and neutering/castration", the intent of which is to render an 
animal incapable of reproduction, and which are currently mandatory surgical procedures for shelter owned and stray 
animals, and customarily regarded as elective procedures for individually owned pets; and 

WHEREAS, in the State of Illinois exists a valid "veterinarian-client-patient relationship" as defined in the Veterinary 
Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004, which includes the following, "Veterinarian-client-patient relationshipÓ 
means: The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making clinical judgments regarding the health of an animal 
and the need for medical treatment and the client, owner, or other caretaker has agreed to follow the instructions of the 
veterinarian"; (225 ILCS 115/3) (from Ch. 111, par. 7003); and 

WHEREAS, graduated and licensed veterinarians have the most complete medical knowledge of the benefits and 
detriments associated with elective ÒgonadectomyÓ and can provide the best counsel to clients in that regard; and 

WHEREAS, there is inconclusive evidence regarding the behavioral influences of early neutering for dogs both with 
and without a history of behavioral problems; and 

WHEREAS, there are conflicting reports regarding euthanasia rates and animal control costs in communities that have 
enacted mandatory spay/neuter legislation; and 

WHEREAS, the passage of ordinances that strike at easy targets such as law-abiding, responsible pet owners does 
little to address the issue of irresponsible pet owners, who will undoubtedly continue to operate outside the legal 
system and where enforcement will be dubious in our already overburdened animal control system. 

Notwithstanding existing requirements for shelter owned animals, for these and other reasons, the Chicago Veterinary 
Medical Association regards the decision of whether an animal should be spayed/neutered or not to be a 
medical/surgical decision that is ultimately best determined between the veterinarian and the individual pet owner. 

Other municipalities have had success in reducing euthanasia and animal control costs with programs of: (1) public 
education, (2) leash laws, (3) free or low cost spay/neuter opportunities for low income families, (4) moderate price 
differentials for licensing of intact and altered male and female dogs and cats, (5) vigorous marketing of shelter dogs 
and cats for adoption by the public, (6) foster care, (7) off site adoptions and (8) working with rescue groups. 

Rather than instituting ÒblanketÓ mandatory spay/neuter laws; we, the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, believe 
that the residents of the City of Chicago would be best served by an aggressive public education campaign to promote 
responsible pet ownership, as well as, the enactment and enforcement of the strictest penalties for irresponsible animal 
owners. 

Signed, 

Shannon Greeley, DVM 

Shannon Greeley, DVM 
CVMA President 2008