FTC Staff: Proposed Alabama Law Would Give Veterinarians More Choices in Providing Spaying, Neutering Services

Federal Trade Commission staff, in response to a request from Alabama Representative Patricia Todd, stated that a bill proposed in the Alabama legislature would give veterinarians more choices in serving consumers.

Alabama House Bill 156 would allow veterinarians to be employed by a limited services 501(c) (3) nonprofit facility that performs only spaying and neutering and vaccinations at the time of surgery, designates a licensed veterinarian to supervise veterinary medical practice, and has an approved premises permit from the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Alabama law currently bars veterinarians from being employed by non-veterinarians, unless covered by an exemption in the law.

"The Bill provides a number of safeguards to ensure that the quality of spaying or neutering services is the same, regardless of whether a facility is owned by a veterinarian or a 501(c) (3) nonprofit," the FTC staff comment stated. "FTC staff support the Bill's goal of allowing Alabama veterinarians to choose different, and potentially more efficient, business arrangements to provide spaying and neutering services to consumers."

The Commission vote approving the staff comment was 5-0. It was sent to Alabama Representative Patricia Todd on April 26, 2012. A copy of the letter can be found on the FTC's website and as a link to this press release. (FTC File No.V120005; the staff contact is Patricia Schultheiss, Office of Policy Planning, 202-326-2877)