| In every city, in every state, there are thousands | | | | "inconvenience" and they then reproduce further |
| of homeless animals. In the U.S. as a whole, it is | | | | and the next generation of puppies and kittens |
| estimated that there are between six and eight | | | | wind up homeless. By having your pet spay or |
| million homeless animals entering animal shelters | | | | neutered, you make the decision that no offspring |
| every year. Not all of these animals are | | | | will be faced with the reality of authorization being |
| aggressive, out of control animals. The majority | | | | a possibility. |
| of these are someone's pet, puppies and kittens | | | | Many people are surprised to learn that nationwide |
| of cherished family pets and even purebreds. Half | | | | more than 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized |
| of these animals that find themselves in a shelter | | | | in shelters. You as an owner can have a huge |
| are adopted out to responsible families and | | | | impact on these numbers. Spaying or neutering |
| tragically, the other half are euthanized. These are | | | | your pet is the only permanent, 100% effective |
| healthy, loving pets who could have become a | | | | method of birth control for dogs and cats. By you |
| great companion. It is of no fault of these animals | | | | being a responsible pet owner, you can make a |
| that we choose to permit their existence and yet | | | | difference. |
| we turn a blind eye on their future. | | | | Not only are dogs and cats an issue. Did you |
| Yes, your pets offspring could end up in an animal | | | | know that by not neutering your pet rabbit that |
| shelter. If you think that your beloved pets | | | | they reproduce faster than dogs or cats and |
| offspring would never become homeless, Think | | | | often end up in shelters where they must be |
| Again. Every time your pet finds his way out your | | | | euthanized? Spaying or neutering rabbits can |
| front door or under your fence in search of "a | | | | reduce hormone-driven behavior such as lunging, |
| companion" the result could be a litter of dogs or | | | | mounting, spraying and boxing. Spaying females |
| cats. Possibly you would not even know of the | | | | can prevent ovarian, mammary and uterine |
| pregnancy of your neighbors cat or dog. Or that | | | | cancers which can be prevalent in mature |
| your pet had a vital part of the pregnancy. | | | | females. |
| Imagine your pet offspring being taken to the | | | | By spaying and neutering your pets, you can be |
| animal shelter. You are fully aware of what a | | | | an important solution to this problem. Millions of |
| wonderful companion your pet has been to you. | | | | pet deaths each year are a needless tragedy. |
| How many of these animal shelter animals will | | | | Contact your veterinarian today and be sure to |
| never have the opportunity to bond with a owner | | | | let you friends and family know that they should |
| or be given an opportunity to prove their | | | | do the same. |
| devotion. | | | | It will take a community, working together, to |
| Even if these surprised litters are placed into | | | | help save the lives of innocent animals. Please do |
| homes, it is still possible for them to end up in | | | | your part. |
| shelters once they become "hard to handle" or an | | | | |