On a motion by Mayor Michael D. Antonovich, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved amending Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code to require the mandatory spaying or neutering and microchipping of cats in unincorporated Los Angeles County, which includes the Castaic Animal Shelter.

“Focused on reducing the uncontrolled breeding of cats that can turn into a severe public health concern, this action will help identify the owners of the nearly 29,000 cats that are impounded annually and prevent them from being euthanized,” according to the news release.

In Fiscal Year 2014-2015, the Department impounded 28,911 cats of which 21,055 were euthanized. Moreover, only 1.6 percent of cats turned into animal care centers were reunited with their owners.

Cat owners are encouraged to take advantage of low-cost procedures offered by the County Department of Animal Care and Control here.

“Wow! We all know how many kitties we get each year – Hopefully the new spay/ neuter and microchipped ordinances mean a reduction in lost kitties and litters,” wrote the Castaic Animal Shelter on its Facebook page. “If you haven’t already done so, please get your cat fixed and microchipped before the laws are set into action.”

In addition, the Board approved a motion asking for a three month pilot program with reduced adoption fees. The Department of Animal Care and Control will use data collected during the pilot program to determine whether the reduced fees led to more adoptions and whether a more formalized program should be developed and implemented.