Animal advocates from animal shelters and spay and neuter clinics across the state rejoiced in Montgomery Wednesday after the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners unanimously voted against a proposed rule that would have shut down low-cost spay and neuter clinics.

The proposal prohibited veterinarians from working for non-veterinarians like non-profits.  Non-veterinarians would not be able control the use of or own equipment, facilities or medications that would allow veterinarians to provide spay and neuter services.

Non-profit groups currently contract with local veterinarians to provide medical services at reduced cost in exchange for use of equipment and facilities.

The board voted following a public hearing where an overwhelming majority of the crowd protested against the proposal, saying shutting down clinics would only exacerbate the statewide animal overpopulation problem.

“What you are going to do is create an animal explosion in this state,” William Mudd, an attorney for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, said during the hearing.

Spay and neuter clinics argued

Pell City Animal Control Officer Rose Ogden said she was pleased with the outcome.

“The low-cost service that spay and neuter clinics doesn’t take away from veterinarian practice.  Veterinarians are still able to provide medical and surgical services spay and neuter clinics cannot,” Ogden said.  “It actually frees veterinarians to provide a higher quality of care.

“If I go to a specialist who can provide a needed service, it doesn’t take away from my need to go see my regular physician. It’s the same with spay and neuter clinics,” Ogden said.

Mindy Gilbert, Alabama State Director for the Humane Society of the United States said the turnout out at Wednesday’s hearing demonstrated that veterinarians, non-profits and members of the public had a vested interest in the matter and a genuine concern for the well-being of animals.

“It sends a good message.  People care enough to reach out to legislators and show up at hearings,” Gilbert said.  “The issue may come up again in 2013, but my hope is that this is the end of this matter.”