Why Spaying and Neutering Your Pet?

Sometimes there is just too much of a good thing, and then there is a problem. In the case of dogs and cats, it’s the problem of pet overpopulation. Each year, more than 12,000,000 dogs, cats, kittens and puppies are left at animal shelters around the country. Some are lost, some are abandoned, some are unwanted and most are the result of irresponsible pet ownership. Sadly, nearly 8,000,000 of these animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for all of them.

More cats and dogs die from being “put to sleep” in animal shelters than from all other causes combined. Spaying and neutering are the best ways to stop the epidemic of overpopulation, as well as being excellent preventive medicine for your pet’s health.

STAF can help with low-cost spay/neuter.

Get in touch and we’ll answer your questions.

Spaying & Neutering Your Pet

Neutered pets offer you what you got them for – affection, companionship, and being the center of your world. Sometimes there is just too much of a good thing, and then there is a problem. In the case of dogs and cats, it’s the problem of pet overpopulation. Each year, more than 12,000,000 dogs, cats, kittens and puppies are left at animal shelters around the country. Some are lost, some are abandoned, some are unwanted and most are the result of irresponsible pet ownership.
Sadly, nearly 8,000,000 of these animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for all of them.

Consider these facts, based on the total number of pups and kittens if all of them survive and reproduce.

  • In just six short years, one female dog and her offspring can be the source of 67,000 puppies.
  • In just seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats.

So what do “spay” and “neuter” really mean? Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet. Basically, female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing both testicles. In both cases, the operation is performed while the animal is under anesthesia. Sometimes the pet can go home the same day, and other times a stay at your veterinarian is required. Depending on the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days.

Preventing a litter is good for both you and your pet. Here are a few facts:

  • Spayed and neutered dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
  • Spayed and neutered pets are better, more affectionate companions.
  • Spaying female dogs and cats eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before the first estrus, or heat cycle.
  • Neutering male dogs reduces the incidence of prostate cancer and other prostate disorders, and eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer.
  • Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to bite. Unaltered animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
  • Neutered males are less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
  • The majority of dogs and cats hit by cars are unneutered males following the scent of females in heat.

For more information on low cost spay/neuter, call STAF at 856-218-7006

Save The Animals Foundation, Inc.