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The Facts About Spaying and
Neutering Your Pets
FACT:
A
female dog or cat can have 2 or 3 litters a year. But one male can
father that many litters in a day. Sterilizing male dogs and cats is
just as important as sterilizing the females.
FACT:
Thousands of animals are euthanized in shelters EVERY SINGLE DAY!
Millions are euthanized in a year. Sterilizing your pet is one small
step in making that no more animals go without a home.
MYTH: Animals become fat and lazy after being spayed or
neutered.
FACT: Sterilization does not cause an animal to become fat or
lazy. Fat animals are usually overfed and under-exercised.
MYTH: It's better to spay a female animal after her first
heat or after one Litter.
FACT: Early spaying reduces the incidence of mammary (breast)
cancer and eliminates diseases of the ovaries and uterus. Most
veterinarians prefer to wait until 5-6 months to spay an animal, but
those as young as 8-10 weeks of age can safely be spayed.
MYTH: Neutering my dog will make him less protective.
FACT: Neutering your dog may make him
more protective of your
family, since he is less likely to roam.
MYTH: Spaying or Neutering will change a pet's
personality and behavior.
FACT: Neutering can produce positive behavior changes. Neutering
can reduce or even eliminate annoying spraying behavior in male cats.
Neutered animals are less likely to roam and be hit by cars or attacked
by other animals or cruel humans. Neutered cats also fight less.
MYTH: My pet is getting older, and I want another one
just like him/her.
FACT: Every animal is unique. There will never be another animal
exactly like Fido or Fluffy, so breeding will not accomplish your desire
to have another “Fido.” Plus, there are GREAT animals at your local
shelter that need a new home!
MYTH: I want my child to witness the miracle of birth.
FACT: Most animals give birth in the middle of the night, in a
place of their choosing. A love of life and living things should not be
taught at the expense of innocent animals.
MYTH: I can find homes for the entire litter, and make
some money, too!
FACT: There are already far too many animals for sale to count on
finding a buyer. For every animal that is placed, another dies somewhere
else unwanted and abandoned. Add in the expense of raising a litter -
food, vaccinations, - and the time involved, and any profits you may
have imagined quickly disappear.
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