MONTREAL (CBC) - Starting in September, the SPCA in western Quebec will sterilize all stray animals that end up in its care, in an effort to reduce the numbers of cats and dogs in its cages and kennels.

Authorities in Los Angeles did it, and it worked, said Yves Geoffrion, a director on the board of the Société pour la Prévention de la Cruauté aux Animaux de l'Outaouais inc.

Over an eight-year period, Los Angeles was able to reduce the number of euthanasia cases by 70 per cent because there were fewer strays to deal with, Geoffrion said.

Geoffrion said more than 200 cats and dogs are housed at the Outaouais animal-welfare agency, and many will end up being euthanized. There are so many, the SPCA is running out of cages.

"It's always wild cats - how can I say - they make babies like crazy. It's the first time I [have] seen this SPCA so busy.... There are so many cats. We're really picking up a lot of animals lately," said Jonathan Monette, an SPCA control officer.

The Ottawa Humane Society already sterilizes all strays that are to be adopted, and has done so for three years.

Spokesperson Tara Jackson said the society has no way to measure the success of the program. She said there has been a reduction in the number of animals that had to be euthanized, but the society doesn't keep a detailed count.

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