| Hey folks! I want to tell you a little bit about pet | | | | the pet population, but it also has benefits for |
| overpopulation, and why it is so important to | | | | your pet. It helps your pet live a longer, healthier |
| have your pet spayed or neutered. | | | | life. It reduces the risks of several cancers in both |
| The Humane Society of the United States | | | | male and female pets. |
| estimates that 6 - 8 million dogs enter our nations | | | | Neutering your male dog early will help reduce |
| shelters each year. Less than one-third of these | | | | unwanted behaviors like roaming (in search of |
| are reclaimed by their owners. Do you know | | | | females in heat), marking territory, and getting |
| what happens to most of the dogs that can't be | | | | into fights over females. |
| adopted out to new families? | | | | Spaying your female dog eliminates her heat |
| That's right. They are euthanized - that means | | | | cycle, which in turn eliminates some messy |
| their innocent lives are ended. | | | | clean-ups. Females in heat can exhibit nervous |
| It is estimated that close to half of the dogs that | | | | behavior, roam, and attract unwanted males. |
| enter shelters in this country are euthanized. Half! | | | | Males will even climb a fence (or dig under it) to |
| Can you believe that? I'd be terrified if I ended up | | | | get to a female in heat. |
| in one of these shelters, knowing that my | | | | Many people think that their pet will become fat |
| chances of making it out alive were only 50/50. | | | | and lazy, or have a personality change. |
| Luckily, the shelter that I ended up in was a no-kill | | | | Overfeeding and lack of exercise, not spaying or |
| shelter. | | | | neutering, will make your pet fat, and if there is a |
| What, you ask, do all those statistics have to do | | | | personality change it will only be slight, such as |
| with spaying and neutering? Everything. It is | | | | your pet being slightly calmer. I can tell you that I |
| possible for a female dog to have two litters a | | | | am the same sweet girl I was before, and I am |
| year. A canine litter produces an average of 6 - | | | | less nervous and better behaved. |
| 10 puppies. | | | | All of the pets that live in my house have been |
| Think about this: If your dog has 10 puppies, then | | | | spayed or neutered. None of us has suffered any |
| after they become adults (let's say at 2 years), | | | | ill effects. We are all happier and healthier because |
| they each produce 2 litters of 10 puppies in the | | | | of it. |
| next 3 years. Those puppies each produce 2 | | | | If you can't afford to have your pet spayed or |
| litters of 10 puppies after age 2. In five years, | | | | neutered, check with local animal welfare |
| your one dog has contributed to THOUSANDS of | | | | organizations, such as your local Humane Society, |
| puppies! Where will you ever find homes for all | | | | or SPCA. Many organizations sponsor low-cost |
| those adorable puppies? Chances are, you won't. | | | | spay/neuter programs. |
| Not only does spaying and neutering help reduce | | | | |