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Did you know?
Spay or Neuter Your Pet
- Every day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in this country while only 10,000 people are
born. - It's simple math-there just aren't enough homes for all of these animals.
- Every year 10-12 million animals are euthanized in shelters for lack of avaiable homes.
- On average, 64% of all animals taken into shelters nationwide have to be euthanized for this
reason. - At least 50% of the overpopulation problem is non-neutered males, Females can't do it alone.
- Purebreds account for 30% of all the animals in shelter. "Papers" don't mean an animal
should be bred. - For every home you find for an animal that you have bred, a home is lost for a shelter animal.
- Breeding to "see the miracles of birth" demands that you also "see the for tragic results" Visit a
shelter. - Animal overpopulation has reached a crisis point in this country.
- You personally can make a difference by spaying or neutering your pet. It is the single most
important thing you can do to prevent animal cruelty!
Spay or Neuter Your Pet
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| Spay and Neuter |
| Do your part to help control the animal population by having your pet spayed or neutered. |
Why you should spay or neuter your pet
What do "spay" and "neuter" really mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats
are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is
under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size, and health, he or she will stay at your
veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need
stitches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to
you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You
Spaying and Neutering Are Good for the Community
SOURCE: HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
What do "spay" and "neuter" really mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats
are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is
under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size, and health, he or she will stay at your
veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need
stitches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to
you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.
- Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet
- Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
- Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems
that can be very difficult or expensive to treat. - Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the
incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle. - Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You
- Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
- Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
- Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often
twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats.
Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male
animals. - Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those
who have been spayed or neutered. - Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
- Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
Spaying and Neutering Are Good for the Community
- Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
- Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
- Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
- Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on
private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or
needs. - Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.
SOURCE: HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
Health benefits of spaying & neutering
Spayed animals no longer feel the need to roam to look for a mate. The result is that they stay home
and have less chance of being involved in traumatic accidents such as being hit by a car. They also
have a much lower incidence of contracting contagious diseases, and get into fewer fights.
In males, neutering decreases the chances of developing prostatic disease and hernias, and
eliminates the chances of developing testicular cancer. It also reduces problems with territorial and
sexual aggression, inappropriate urination (spraying) and other undesirable male behaviors.
In females, spaying decreases the incidence of breast cancer (the rate goes down to almost zero if
the spaying is done before the first heat cycle!). It eliminates the chance of developing a serious and
potentially fatal infection of the uterus experienced by many mature unspayed animals (pyometra).
Spay surgery also eliminates the heat cycle and associated mood swings and undesirable
behaviors, messy spotting (in dogs) and the attraction of all available males to your yard.
The simple fact is that spaying and neutering greatly increases the lifespan of your pet and increases
quality of life as well!
Spayed animals no longer feel the need to roam to look for a mate. The result is that they stay home
and have less chance of being involved in traumatic accidents such as being hit by a car. They also
have a much lower incidence of contracting contagious diseases, and get into fewer fights.
In males, neutering decreases the chances of developing prostatic disease and hernias, and
eliminates the chances of developing testicular cancer. It also reduces problems with territorial and
sexual aggression, inappropriate urination (spraying) and other undesirable male behaviors.
In females, spaying decreases the incidence of breast cancer (the rate goes down to almost zero if
the spaying is done before the first heat cycle!). It eliminates the chance of developing a serious and
potentially fatal infection of the uterus experienced by many mature unspayed animals (pyometra).
Spay surgery also eliminates the heat cycle and associated mood swings and undesirable
behaviors, messy spotting (in dogs) and the attraction of all available males to your yard.
The simple fact is that spaying and neutering greatly increases the lifespan of your pet and increases
quality of life as well!
Some myths about spaying & neutering
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 now sterilize dogs and cats as young
as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures.
MYTH: My children 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 it 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 characteristics.
MYTH: It's 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 veterinary 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.
SOURCE: HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES 2007
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 now sterilize dogs and cats as young
as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures.
MYTH: My children 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 it 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 characteristics.
MYTH: It's 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 veterinary 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.
SOURCE: HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES 2007
| A picture is worth a thousand words. Click Here to see one shelter's powerful film on why spaying and neutering your pets is the most important thing you can do to help all animals. |
