San Joaquin County leaders are considering a proposal that would require pets taken into shelters to be spayed or neutered before being returned to their owners.
The proposal, introduced by Supervisor Steve Ding, is aimed at reducing pet overpopulation, overcrowded shelters, and rising costs tied to animal care.
County officials say they are seeing the same animals come through shelters repeatedly, contributing to a cycle that strains resources. The county is on track to spend more than $1 million this fiscal year on animal welfare, including the cost of impounding about 1,700 animals…