Save Lives!

Spay and neuter is a very important issue when acquiring a new dog. Considering the fact that around 4–6 million pets are euthanized every year because there are not enough homes for them, most people have no good reason not to spay and neuter their pets. If you plan on breeding and you are not doing it to better the breed standard or if you are doing it to earn a little extra money – you are not doing it for the right reasons, no matter how good your intentions. A lot of bad things can happen during whelping and if you don’t know about your pet’s genetic traits, you could pass on some dangerous traits to the babies which could give them complications later on in life, which also could bring heartache to the pet’s family.

The Pet Surplus

The puppies above are cute and adorable but for every puppy that is brought into the world means one more home must be found. There just aren’t enough homes.

Benefits

Neutering will prevent your male pet from getting testicular cancer, it will prevent roaming, marking and other unwanted behaviors that come along with the testosterone. Spaying your female will ensure that she will not suffer from pyometra (infection of the uterus), uterine cancer, and it will greatly reduce the risk of mammary cancer. With all of these benefits, it is hard to understand why so many people still fail to spay or neuter their pets!

Miracle of Birth

If you want to breed your pets so that you or your family can witness the “miracle of birth”, you may be interested in signing up to be a foster parent for a pregnant dog or cat. That way your family can still witness this “miracle”, plus you would be helping an animal in need, instead of just adding to the overpopulation problem! Everyone wins!

The cost of spay and neuter varies in different areas. A spay surgery is usually more expensive than a neuter, and clinics usually base their price on the weight of the animal. If you cannot afford to spay or neuter, then may want to consider adopting a pet that is already fixed. Responsible shelters will spay and neuter all of its animals before adopting them out.

The most important thing you can do to help the pet population is to help stop the cycle and make sure you are never contributing to the problem by bringing more pets into this world. If more people were to spay and neuter their pets then the number of unwanted animals would decrease drastically.

Most people do not know that a cat can have her first litter at the age of five months! Just one litter means that more good homes will need to be found. It is easier finding homes for the kittens but that means homeless adult cats miss out on a possible home.

Myth: My pet will get fat and lazy.

Fact: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don’t give them enough exercise.

Myth: It’s better to have one litter first.

Fact: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians new sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures.

Myth: My child should experience the miracle of birth

Fact: Even if children are able to see a pet give birth – which is unlikely, since it usually occurs at night and in seclusion – the lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and discarded as suits adults. Instead, it should be explained to children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others.

Myth: But my pet is a purebred

Fact: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats – mixed breed and purebred.

Myth: I want my dog to be protective

Fact: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog’s natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog’s personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.

Myth: I don’t want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male.

Fact: Pets don’t have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet’s basic personality. He doesn’t suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.

Myth: But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten) just like her.

Fact: A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn’t mean her offspring will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can’t guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet owner’s chances are even slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of puppies or kittens might receive all of a pet’s (and her mate’s) worst qualities.

Myth: It is too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered

Fact: The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the pet, your veterinarian’s fees, and a number of other variables. But whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost – a relatively small cost when compared to all the benefits. It’s a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter; two months of pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add up to significant veterinarian bills and food costs if complications develop. Most importantly, it’s a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of the births of more unwanted pets.

Myth: I’ll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.

Fact: You may find homes for all of your pet’s litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. Also, in less than one year’s time, each of your pet’s offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time.

These myths and facts were found at the Humane Society of the United States on their Pet Care section about spay and neuter.

If your pets are already spayed and neutered – Thank You! Please encourage your friends and family to do the sme responsible thing.

For information on low-cost spay and neuter information visit Spay/Usa.