| What is the importance of spaying and neutering | | | | spayed or neutered and the offspring were |
| your Doberman? According to the Humane | | | | thrown in garbage bags, left by unscrupulous |
| Society, approximately three million dogs or more | | | | owners to fend for themselves, or bred in puppy |
| are euthanized each year. Sent to shelters | | | | mills to make a quick buck. There have been |
| because they have been abandoned or because | | | | countless incidents which bear out these facts. |
| their owners can no longer care for them. The | | | | Unless you are a breeder, there is no reason not |
| over-population of dogs in animal shelters has | | | | to have your dog spayed or neutered. The result |
| reached major proportions. | | | | would reduce the number of homeless dogs lying |
| While the aforementioned statistic is hard to | | | | in wait for someone to adopt them, reduce the |
| imagine, it is nonetheless true. This is why animal | | | | number of dogs roaming the streets for scraps, |
| advocates constantly remind the general | | | | and reduce the likelihood that dogs will attack |
| population to have their dogs spayed or neutered. | | | | pets. |
| There are other reasons why this method is | | | | Owning a dog comes with a responsibility to |
| recommended. | | | | ensure the pet is happy, safe, and lives in a |
| Dogs have an innate desire to breed. It's just a | | | | welcoming and caring environment. Conversely, a |
| fact. More importantly, however, spaying and | | | | dog that is put to sleep due to over-population |
| neutering can prevent cancer. In addition, neutered | | | | could have been someone's life-long companion. |
| male dogs will less likely want to run away or | | | | This is why adoption is preferred. |
| engage in rough-housing with other male dogs. | | | | Although puppies are the first to be adopted in |
| Male dogs are inherently territorial. If he isn't | | | | shelters, it is often the case that adult dogs can |
| neutered, then he will use his dominance over | | | | only be kept for a certain amount of time due to |
| other dogs particularly when a female is involved. | | | | the over-population of dogs in this country. Thus, |
| Spaying and neutering your dog does not mean | | | | they face a grim future. |
| they will become lazy, gain weight, or have a | | | | In an effort to reduce the number of dogs, a |
| personality change. All the procedure does is to | | | | spaying and neutering program has begun in some |
| prevent your dog from seeking out other dogs to | | | | cities and has resulted in a 30%-60% decline in |
| mate with. According to the Humane Society, ".... | | | | euthanasia. |
| in six short years, one female dog and her | | | | While this is good news, it is up to all individuals |
| offspring can give birth to hundreds of puppies." | | | | across the nation to not only spay and neuter |
| Imagine if you will that there are millions of pet | | | | their pets, but adopt them as well. What other |
| owners. Now imagine if each pet were not | | | | choice do we have? |