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America is the home of more than 7.5 million unwanted animals. Every day, over 70,000 kittens and puppies are born--seven animals for every human newborn. While America is one of the most compassionate nations on earth, we are seemingly oblivious to the pain and suffering of this invisible population of abandoned, unwanted animals, many of whom were once loved pets. While we bemoan the plight of oil soaked birds and cheer for the rescue of one beached whale, we are ignorant of the horror of these animals’ pitiful lives--the fear, hunger, disease and violence that characterizes their day-to-day struggle to survive.
Although abandonment of adult dogs and cats is a serious problem, the most tragic part of this problem is the population explosion caused by irresponsible breeding that produces millions of unwanted puppies and kittens. Cats and dogs are prolific breeders; even one cat or dog and their offspring can produce 50 to 200 babies within 12 months. This is a needless tragedy. Spaying and neutering your pet not only prevents unwanted litters from being born, your pet will actually be happier and healthier following these simple surgeries.
Spaying a female cat or dog involves placing the animal under a general anesthesia. An incision in the midline abdomen is made and both ovaries and the uterus are removed. The incision is sutured and the patient is sent to a “recovery room” while the anesthesia wears off. Most animals are ready to go home the next day.
Male animals are neutered by excising the scrotal skin and removing the testicle and spermatic cord. For the squeamish, remember that the animal is anesthetized and when he wakes up, he usually bounces back quickly, never realizing what he’s missing.
Other than the obvious benefit of preventing the birth of unwanted litters, spaying and neutering creates healthier, more contented pets. Neutering lessens the risks of prostate problems and testicular cancer. Your male pets, no longer hearing the “call of the wild”, won’t fight and roam as much in quest of a mate. Spayed females have reduced risks of malignant mammary cancers and uterine problems. Female cats may go into heat as every few weeks; dogs twice a year. If you’ve tried to keep animals penned or caged at “that time” you know they have one thing on their minds, escaping and mating. Spaying produces a cleaner pet (no bleeding on furniture and carpet during heats) and saves you aggravation and work. You will notice a positive change in your sterilized animals; Rover and Kitty will be calmer, more affectionate and less aggressive.
If you’re still not convinced that spaying and neutering your animals is best for them, for you and for the community, which one of these excuses will you use?
The Five Stupid Reasons People Refuse To Get Their Pets Spayed or Neutered
1. It costs too much. The cost of sterilizing a pet ranges from $30 to $95, depending on the area where you live and where the service is performed. There are considerable “hidden” expenses incurred by veterinarians, who are self-employed and have the usual business expenses.
To help defray the spay/neuter costs, some cities are offering low cost spaying and neutering services as a way to keep roaming packs of feral animals under control and to reduce the costs of housing and euthanizing stray animals.
Call local vets, the Humane Society or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to find out if you can get discount rates. Or call Friends of Animals at 1-800-321-7387. They will furnish you with a directory of vets who participate in a low cost spay/neuter programs.
2. I want my pet to have at least one litter. There is no valid reason for your young pet to produce a litter before it is sterilized. Spaying animals as young as eight weeks of age spares the pet the stresses of being in heat and the potential complications of pregnancy and birth that can be fatal to the mother. Besides, what are you going to do with the kitties and puppies your pet produces?
3. I want my children to experience the miracle of birth. This is the ultimate in selfish thinking. Use books, video or other aids to teach your children about reproduction. Besides, animals usually prefer privacy when giving birth. Since only one in ten puppies or kittens is actually adopted, a better lesson for youngsters is to teach them that true compassion for other living things means taking real responsibility for pet ownership by getting animals spayed and neutered.
4. My animal will become fat and lazy. Spaying and neutering does not cause animals to become fat and lazy. Pets will roam less and therefore use fewer calories; you can solve this problem by reducing caloric intake and by encouraging physical activity for your pet.
5. I’m afraid the surgery will hurt my pet. The surgery is safe when performed by a reputable veterinarian in clean surroundings, using sterile instruments and proper surgical procedures.
If you’re still not convinced, spend some time in an animal shelter and see all those innocent, hopeful eyes staring at you from inside the cages. A significant number were abandoned simply because they became an inconvenience. While “no kill” shelters do exist, most shelters gas stray animals that are not picked up or adopted within a few days. Only the hardest hearts will not be affected by these sad cases. By spaying or neutering your animals, you will be making a wonderful contribution to the health and well being of your pets while preventing unborn generations of puppies and kittens from lives of hunger, fear and pain.
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