First, every poor and elderly person can take advantage of the "free" spay/neuter with the Volusia County Spay/Neuter Bus, which will come in their area. So that puts the poor and elder at rest to know they "can afford" an animal and not go through the expense of a litter with an intact animal. A second spay/neuter bus has already been approved.

Second, Halifax Humane Society goes through great lengths to adopt animals from their facility, via web site, pet of the week newspaper, radio stations, education, events, fundraisers and so on. Please stop mis-informing the community of this.

Third, as far as heath issues spay/neutering animals at a young age, what about the dangers of not altering the animal, I did not see that side of the story. Any animal can as easily die from giving birth as it can being spay/neuter or even a dental clean.

It is evident the spay/neuter will prevent the thousands of animals being put to sleep each year, therefore saving the Volusia County Tax payers money.

Last, this all boils down to "money" Breeders of all kind are making money off of the animals and I have heard to many say, I don't want to spay her, that is my income. What?? The breeders do not want to file this income on their taxes, therefore being opposed to the ordinance. The picture is very clear, people who are opposed fear losing the "tax free" income and people for the ordinance have the animal's best interest at heart.

You can enforce the leash law all you want, but that does not stop the breeders using animals for an income to overpopulate this county. Just pick up the newspaper or read the signs posted, (Corner of 17 and 92) Puppies 200.00. Start visiting someone of these homes with the signs pups for sale and see why they need to spay and neuter in this county.

"Legitimate breeders" who show their dogs are exempt, therefore this ordinance would not apply. So, it seems the moral of the story would be, the protesters are the illegal breeders opposing.

County Council, I urge you to do the right thing for the animals.