Whether you have a new pet, have recently adopted, or have a senior pet that has not been fixed, a spay/ neuter is one of the most important health decisions a pet owner can make. There are not only long term health benefits to this procedure, but a defined, measurable solution to a worldwide issue we face in regards to animal overpopulation.
Animal shelters all across the country are faced with the huge burden of providing temporary homes for unplanned and unwanted litters. The American Humane Association cites that "approximately 3.7 million animals are euthanized at shelters each year, due to the sheer fact that there are not enough willing adopters."
When you choose to spay or neuter your pet, you help reduce the likelihood of an unplanned litter which in time will reduce the amount of unwanted pets throughout our country.
Female pets undergoing a spay should have this procedure done prior to their first heat and preferably before six months of age. They will usually spend one night with us.
Males undergoing a neuter should have this surgery performed prior to seven months of age. Your pet may be able to return home the same day or may need to stay overnight.
Surgical patients should not have food for the twelve hours preceding their surgery.
ASPCA lists the Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet
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Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life - Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
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Neutering provides major health benefits for your male - Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
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Your spayed female won't go into heat - While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently, sometimes all over the house!
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Your male dog won't want to roam away from home - An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.
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Your neutered male will be much better behaved - Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
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Spaying or neutering will NOT make your 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.
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It is highly cost-effective - The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!
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Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community - Stray animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.
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Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth - Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children, especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way.
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Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation - Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.
