Did you know?

     That each day over 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As a result, every year over 5 million animals are euthanized (killed) because there are no homes for them. Cities and Counties spend millions of dollars to control and take care of unwanted animals. Irresponsible dog owners who let their pets breed contributes to the problem of dog bites. Animal shelters are over populated with a multitude of  animals.

     Pet behavioral problems are one of the main reasons animals are given to shelters but many orphans are the result of  breeding by free-roaming, unaltered pets. The more pets spayed or neutered will result in  fewer dogs and cats that will have to be destroyed.

     Every year millions of dogs and cats end up in animal shelters because their owners have abandoned them. Thousands more become strays. In the United States alone the number of animals entering shelters is estimated at more than six million annually.  About half of the animals that enter shelters are killed, because they cannot be found homes. If you work out how many animals can be born from just one female cat and her offspring the results are staggering. In one year, a female cat and her off spring can produce 48 cats. The second year the same female cat and her off spring and their off spring.....etc. can produce 288 cats. The third year you can times that by 12 which equals to 3,456 cats. Remember, that is just from one female cat! Think about how many female cats are in your community that you know of that are not spayed! How many in the United States? How do you get a handle on this problem? SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS! Statistics say one female dog and her off spring and their offspring can produce more than 60,000 puppies in six years!

      How can you help to "stop the suffering and the useless waste of animal lives"?

Spaying and neutering can also improve your pet's health and give them a longer life to spend with you

What exactly is it?

     Spaying (ovario-hysterectomy) is the surgical removal of the reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes) of the female animal.

     Neutering (orchectomy or castration) is the surgical removal of the reproductive glands (testes) of the male animal. The outer is left, only the testes are removed. Appearance depends upon the dog's age at the time of the surgery.

     Females and males should be spayed or neutered by 5-6 months of age depending on the breed and size of the dog. Currently some clinics are performing surgeries on animals as young as 8 weeks of age. As this procedure becomes more common, perhaps it will be available in all areas. Older animals can be done as long as they are in good health. All sterilization surgery is performed under general anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian.

     Spaying before having a first litter or heat cycle is usually a simpler procedure. The heat cycle for dogs is once or twice a year starting as early as 5 months of age. Duration is 3 weeks. Heat cycles in cats start as early as 5 months and occur every 3-4 weeks during spring through early fall. The gestation period for both dogs and cats is 63 days. Female cats can become pregnant again as soon as 10 days after giving birth (while still nursing the first litter).

     Female dogs and cats can be spayed when in heat or pregnant but please consult your local veterinarian on how far along your pet is in its pregnancy as most veterinarians do not like to spay a female in that condition because of the stress on the animal, also the surgery can take longer and therefore cost more.

Health Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

     Spayed animals no longer have the urge to roam to look for a mate. The result is that they stay home and have less chance of being hit by a car or getting into trouble with your neighbors.

     Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to bite. Unaltered animals can have more behavior and temper problems than those that have been spayed or neutered.

      Neutering your male dog or cat prevents testicular tumors and may prevent prostate problems as they get older.  Because neutered cats are less likely to roam, the threat of abscesses caused by bites and diseases transmitted by fighting are greatly reduced.  Males neutered early in life are less aggressive toward other males and are not distracted by females in heat. Therefore, a neutered male will be less tempted to leave your property and cross that dangerous highway searching for a mate. Neutered males also are less likely to mark every one of your (or your neighbor's) expensive shrubs with his urine as well as inside the house. 

     In Females, spaying decreases the incidence of breast cancer and the rate goes down to almost zero if the spaying is done before the first heat cycle. 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. Female cats in heat often cry continuously and show nervous behavior and attract unwanted males.

      Because female dogs pass bloody fluid for about ten days, twice a year, as a part of their heat cycle, constant care must be taken to avoid carpet stains in homes with such animals. Spaying your dog eliminates this problem.

Myths Associated with Spaying and Neutering:

 My pet will get fat and lazy!

    False. Pets that become fat and lazy after being altered usually are overfed and do not get enough exercise. Although some breeds that are not active will get fat so special care on diet could help.

   Well-known breeders are lucky if they break even on raising purebred litters. Consider the costs of raising such a litter which includes stud fees, vaccinations, health care costs, extra dog food for mom and puppy food for the litter. If your pet is not a purebred than you will have the odds against you in finding homes for the litter and even if you are lucky, is that person taking the animal a responsible pet owner? Will that puppy or kitten have a good home? Or when the puppy or kitten stage is over will it be left out in the cold to fend for itself?

No family wants to cope with an unwanted pregnancy. Don't let your pet have even one litter. Spay or neuter today.

 "Don't use your pets to teach your children about the birds and the bees"

     Pets need privacy when giving birth, any unnecessary intrusion can cause the mother to become seriously upset. This can result in an unwillingness to care for the offspring or cause injury to you or your children or to your pet. Some pets can become very protective of their new offspring so caution must be taken.

I am concerned about my pet undergoing anesthesia

     Placing a pet under anesthesia is a very common concern of owners. There can always be a slight risk involved. Many veterinarians use equipment that monitors heart and respiratory rates during surgery to ensure that their patients are doing well under anesthesia. Just remember the medical benefits of having your pet spayed or neutered far outweigh the slight risk involved with undergoing anesthesia.

     Yes! This is a one-time expense that can dramatically improve your pet's quality of life and in the long run preventing expensive veterinarian bills that arise when your pet is not spayed or neutered. Having your pet spayed or neutered is a part of responsible pet ownership and you are helping to alleviate the dog and cat overpopulation problem. Usually the costs of licensing your pet are greatly reduced if your pet is altered.

If you have trouble affording the procedures, try these steps:

Call your local animal shelter
    It may operate a clinic or know of a local clinic that offers subsidized services. It may also offer vouchers to have your pet spayed or neutered at a lower cost by local cooperating veterinarians.

Call your veterinarian
    Your veterinarian may be able to work out special financing options for you. Remember that, even if you pay full price for the procedures, spaying or neutering is a one-time cost with a lifetime of benefits. Spaying or neutering your pet not only helps curb pet overpopulation but also reduces your pet's risk of succumbing to many health problems. It remains one of the best bargains in animal health care.

Call SPAY/USA
    SPAY/USA is a national spay/neuter referral service for the public regarding low cost spay/neuter programs or they may be able to direct you to subsidized spay/neuter clinics in your area. SPAY/USA can be reached at 1-800-248-SPAY (1-800-248-7729) or you can visit their website, at http://www.spayusa.org, you will receive information about the nearest low-cost program and will be sent a certificate as proof you have gone through the SPAY/USA network. They have a multitude of programs and clinics nationwide.

Visit the Pets 911 website

     Pets 911  Their online database can provide you with information on veterinarians, special clinics, and other spay/neuter resources in your area.

Love That Cat

Low Cost or Free Spay - Neuter Programs in the United States