| humans have domesticated animals, we've | | | | abandon or give up pets because of lack of |
| created the tragedy of pet over-population. We | | | | commitment to training the pet. Animal shelters |
| now have the responsibility to spay or neuter our | | | | are overburdened with surplus animals and |
| pets to prevent this situation. There are those | | | | irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem |
| who think that cats and dogs would eventually | | | | of dog bites and attacks. |
| become extinct with required altering. But as a | | | | Spaying and neutering will help your pet live a |
| nation, we should take a hard look at a different | | | | longer, healthier life, especially for those females |
| annual statistic: the millions of dogs and cats given | | | | who are spayed before their first heat cycle. |
| up to shelters or left to die on the streets. | | | | Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. |
| Cats just seem to “show up” on | | | | Estrus lasts an average of 6-7 days, 3 or more |
| your doorstep and we wonder if they are the | | | | times a year in cats. The surgery includes the |
| result of being dumped. Cat owners that live in | | | | removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. |
| and around rural areas are more likely to feed | | | | A major advantage for most owners is the |
| free-roaming cats than are people who live in the | | | | elimination of heat cycles and unwanted |
| cities. Cats don't hang around unless there's a | | | | pregnancies. Female cats normally cycle from |
| really good reason to do so, and if you want an | | | | February to November each year. Even if |
| outside cat, you are pretty much going to have | | | | someone can find homes for one litter of kittens, |
| to wait it out until one comes along. A kitten | | | | the overpopulation cycle continues if the animals |
| raised indoors cannot be put out to live outdoors | | | | are allowed to breed. |
| because it has never learned how to live | | | | Research has shown that early spaying or |
| outdoors. | | | | neutering of your pet can aid in the recovery |
| As pet owners, it is our responsibility to try and | | | | process, giving your pet a speedy and virtually |
| reduce the scale of the tragedy of pet | | | | painless recovery. Years ago, when safe pediatric |
| over-population. The way to do this is simply to | | | | anesthetic techniques were not available, waiting |
| simple spay or neuter your pet and urge our | | | | until a patient was older increased the safety of |
| friends and acquaintances to do the same. | | | | surgery, but that is no longer the case. Depending |
| Neutered pets do require fewer calories, but | | | | on your pet's age and health, he or she will stay |
| when placed on a proper diet and given adequate | | | | at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a |
| exercise, they maintain their trim figures with little | | | | few days. Depending on what procedure, your |
| difficulty. Pets acquired from animal shelters are | | | | pet may need stitches removed after a few |
| already spayed or neutered or, as we know from | | | | days. Your vet will use his highest standards to |
| experience, require that you visit a participating | | | | ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible |
| vet to have the procedure done at a very | | | | during his or her stay and to make sure your pet |
| reasonable rate. Only a small percentage of pets | | | | will be safe. |
| are acquired from animal shelters though, so | | | | Make it your mission to ensure that the stray cat |
| neutering these animals can only have a small | | | | that frequents your back yard doesn't bring more |
| effect on the overall population problem. My own | | | | strays into the world to endure the same hard |
| veterinarian’s recommendation to me, if | | | | life. At this rate there will never be enough homes |
| you are not going to show the animal then by all | | | | for all adoptable pets. Neutering will not change a |
| means neuter at an early age. If everyone would | | | | pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind |
| follow this advice, a significant decrease in | | | | of emotional reaction or identity crisis when |
| unwanted animals could result. | | | | neutered. |
| There are added benefits to spaying or neutering | | | | In general, animal welfare organizations and |
| beside cutting down on the cat population. The | | | | veterinarians agree that spaying and neutering |
| procedure can increase the lifespan of your pet | | | | pets is a responsible decision that will benefit both |
| and has other numerous health benefits. It | | | | pets and owners. Pet health care professionals |
| reduces the urge to roam. The female will cease | | | | insist that problems can certainly be avoided with |
| bleeding on your carpet, your furniture, the | | | | these simple procedures. There will never be |
| interior of your car, and on the ground outside. | | | | enough good homes for all of these unwanted |
| If you are on a fixed income and have a cat that | | | | pets. Humane shelters will continue to euthanize |
| you need to spay or neuter but you can’t | | | | millions of healthy cats and dogs each year for no |
| afford it, please don’t hesitate to call the | | | | reason other than homes cannot be found for |
| Humane Societies or animal agencies in your area | | | | them. Preventing the birth of kittens for which |
| and ask if they have any information about who | | | | there will be no homes is one of the best reasons |
| might help with the cost. In our location, we have | | | | to have a pet cat altered. Additionally, altered |
| an agency by the name of the Spay/Neuter | | | | dogs and cats are less likely to wander and |
| Assistance Program (SNAP) that helps out with | | | | become lost while searching for a mate and are |
| the cost of the surgeries. Keep in mind that | | | | less likely to bite or become aggressive. |
| without the operation, in less than one | | | | Much like children, animals depend on humans to |
| year’s time, each of your pet’s | | | | keep them happy and healthy. Also, remember, |
| offspring may have his or her own litter, adding | | | | spaying/neutering is an excellent way to reduce |
| even more animals to the population. | | | | health risks to your pet. This includes showing |
| Each year, over two million dogs and four million | | | | your pet you care for him or her by providing |
| cats are euthanized at U.S. animal shelters. These | | | | adequate attention in the form of petting, feeding, |
| animals are euthanized for the simple fact that | | | | exercise, training, and just loving them. |
| there just are no homes for them. The primary | | | | NOTE: This article is for information only. See your |
| causes of this tragedy is the people who fail to | | | | veterinarian for medical advice. |
| have their pets spayed or neutered, and who | | | | |