Animal shelters, both public and private, are faced with an incredible burden: What to do with the overpopulation of dogs and cats that they cannot find homes for? Approximately 3.7 million animals are euthanized at shelters each year, due to the sheer fact that there are not enough willing adopters. Having your pet spayed or neutered ensures that you will not be adding to this tremendous burden.
Why spay or neuter your dog or cat?
Simple, three reasons. First, you help your dog or cat live a happier, healthier, longer life. Do it for them, do it for yourself so they are around longer and live a quality life.
Through neutering, you can help your dog or cat live a happier, healthier, longer life. Spaying eliminates the constant crying and nervous pacing of a female cat in heat and reduces risk of certain cancers and infections in both genders. Spaying a female dog also eliminates the messiness associated with the heat cycle. Males don’t roam and stray away from home, endangering their lives and health.
Second, you save from and unwanted and cruel fate of millions of dogs and cats a year. For every human born in the United States, 45 cats and 15 dogs will be born. Six to eight million dogs and cats are waiting in shelters across the country, 25% of those are purebreds. Less than half will get a home and a percentage of those will be abused or returned. The other half will be euthanized or live alone, caged life never knowing the love and safety of a home or able to share their wisdom and love with us. A small percentage of those do live in no kill shelters. This does not count the millions of dogs and cats globally in this situation.
Third, if more pets are spayed/neutered, there will be less stray, homeless, unwanted animals. Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals. Stray and roaming (a behavior associated with breeding) animals can cause dog bites and attacks. Stray and homeless animals get into trash containers, or defecate in public areas or on private lawns. Spaying/neutering prevents unwanted litters and keeps more animals off the streets and out of already overburdened animal shelters and rescue groups.
Help starts with your actions and educating and encouraging others to do the same.
Three ways to walk the talk of supporting cats and dogs:
- Spay or neuter your own.
- Educate and encourage others to do the same and support your local shelter.
- Support these national organizations who also address other animal cruelty and care issues.
Top 9 myths against spaying and neutering
(along with top credible sources for more resources and information)
NEUTERING COSTS TOO MUCH
Many animal shelters offer low-cost spay/neuter services, and there are also many low-cost spay/neuter clinics across the country. To find low-cost options in your area, call your local animal shelter. The reality is that the cost associated with providing adequate care for just one litter of puppies or kittens is often more than the cost of spaying or neutering. The cost of feeding, worming and first vaccinations for a litter can be upwards of $200 to $300. You must also consider that there could be complications with the birth that require hospitalization or surgery. You will also be faced with finding good homes for the offspring yourself or placing more animals into your local shelter. The cost of the well-being of not just your companion animal, but of future generations, should be considered.
I DON’T OWN A PET SO WHY IS THIS MY PROBLEM?
All of us are affected by animal overpopulation. Millions of tax dollars are spent annually to shelter and care for stray, abandoned and unwanted pets. Human health is threatened by the danger of transmittable diseases (including rabies), animal bites and attacks. Property may be damaged and livestock killed when pets roam in search of food. Animal waste is proving to be a serious environment hazard, fouling yards and parks. It is only when all of us assume the responsibility for pet overpopulation that we will see any decrease in the problem. These funds could be used for schools, libraries, roads, public transportation and other underfunded and important community needs.
I WILL DEPRIVE MY PET THE NATURAL RIGHT TO REPRODUCE
No, it’s selfish to allow these animals to reproduce millions of unwanted offspring that are eventually killed because there aren’t enough responsible homes.
I FIND HOMES FOR MY PETS LITTERS SO I AM NOT CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEM
Simple supply and demand, only a finite number of people want pets. So every home you find for your pet’s offspring takes away a home from a loving animal already at a shelter.
EVERY FEMALE SHOULD HAVE ONE LITTER BEFORE BEING SPAYED
No. In fact, your pet will be healthier if she never sexually matures.
MY CHILDREN SHOULD EXPERIENCE THE MIRACLE OF BIRTH
No. A more important lesson to teach your children would be responsible pet ownership and concern for life by explaining the reality of dogs and cats in our world and thus why their pet should not have babies. In addition to the health benefits your pet will be around longer.
NEUTERING WILL ALTER MY PETS PERSONALITY
No. Personality changes that may result from neutering are for the better. Not being distracted by the instinctual need to find a mate helps your pet stop roaming and decreases aggressive tendencies. Spayed and neutered animals focus their attention on their families.
SHELTERS AND OTHER PEOPLE TAKE CARE OF SURPLUS ANIMALS.
No. Shelters do their best to place animals in loving homes, but the number of homeless animals far exceeds the number of willing adopters. This leaves many loving and healthy animals in our community that must be euthanized as the only humane solution to this tragic dilemma. Only spaying and neutering can end the overpopulation problem.
SPAYING OR NEUTERING WILL MAKE MY PET FAT
Don’t use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds-not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
American Humane Society
Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
World Spay Day
Animals Liberation Front
Love that Cat
PAWS, PAWS is people helping animals. We are the kind of people who delight in the company of an animal friend, who are awed by a majestic eagle in flight. Like you, we understand that animals enrich our lives. We also know they cannot speak for themselves and need protection.
American Veterinarian Medical Association
Human Society International
Pets Web MD
