Basic Information about Spaying and Neutering Dogs and Cats

• Spaying (for females) and neutering (for males) are ways of providing birth control for dogs and cats by removing reproductive organs.
  
  
• Over 10 million animals are killed each year in shelters or by accidents, poisoning, starvation or disease.  Many of these animals are unwanted due to the companion animal overpopulation crisis.
  
  
• Spaying a female dog/cat will make her a better pet in many ways.  It eliminates the heat cycle which often causes undesirable behaviors such as crying, pacing, visits from unwelcome male animals and the bloody discharge that accompanies estrus (heat).
  
  
• Neutering a male pet often eliminates marking of territory, mounting of people, furniture, or other animals, the desire to roam and oftentimes aggressive behaviors. 
  
  
• All animals will benefit with improved health.
  
•  Breast cancer is common in nearly half of unspayed dogs.  However, it is virtually eliminated if the dog is spayed before the first heat cycle.  Cats have fewer breast tumors, but they are nearly always malignant.  Spaying will reduce this risk dramatically.
  
• About 60% of older unneutered dogs will suffer with genital problems.  Both dogs and cats have reduced risk of prostate cancer if neutered and no risk of testicular tumor.
  

• Females avoid serious life threatening uterine diseases such as pyometria. 

•  Spaying and neutering is not expensive considering it is done only once and will assist in removing future disease.  It also helps lessen the cost of licensing.

§         It is absolutely NOT NECESSARY for a female to have a litter first.  In fact, it increases health risks and contributes to the overpopulation crisis. 

§         Spayed and neutered pets do not become fat and lazy.  That is the result of overfeeding and lack of exercise.  

§         There is no need to feel that a pet is being deprived of sexual fulfillment.  The only reasons animals breed is as a result of hormonal responses. 

§         In order to spay/neuter an animal, contact a veterinarian or animal welfare organization.  Currently, many veterinarians will perform surgery on animals as young as three months.  Therefore, there is no chance that the pet will become sexually active. Additionally, all health risks will be eliminated and recovery time is much quicker. 

§         PLEASE BE SURE TO ALTER YOUR ANIMALS AND ACT TO SEE THAT OTHERS ARE SPAYED AND NEUTERED ALSO.  THE BENEFITS ARE ENORMOUS!!!!