| Here a snip, there a snip, everywhere a snip snip... | | | | permanent home. Over 7 million unwanted dogs |
| Perhaps Old MacDonald could've kept his farm | | | | and cats are put to sleep every year.o Fewer |
| under control, had he decided to have his pets | | | | behavior problems: Altered dogs are less likely to |
| spayed or neutered! While some people | | | | dig out of yards, jump fences, and run away |
| mistakenly think having a dog "fixed" is cruel and | | | | from home. They're less aggressive, too.o Lower |
| unnecessary, it can actually be one of the kindest | | | | license fees: Most cities offer cheaper licenses for |
| decisions a pet owner will make. When you | | | | dogs that are spayed or neutered.o Better health: |
| combine a good quality diet for Fido with regular | | | | Female dogs are at risk for mammary or uterine |
| veterinary care, spaying or neutering can improve | | | | cancer. Male dogs often get testicular or prostate |
| the quality and extend the length of your precious | | | | cancer. These risks are reduced or cut out |
| pooch's life. | | | | completely when you spay or neuter.o Females |
| The procedures are fairly simple. Males can usually | | | | do not go into heat: Female dogs in heat are |
| go home the same day after being neutered and | | | | messy, and can leave stains on your furniture and |
| return to regular activities within a few days. For | | | | carpet. Un-spayed females can also attract |
| females, surgery is a little more involved, since an | | | | "interested" males from far away. (By the way - |
| incision is made in their abdomens. But females | | | | female dogs can be in heat twice a year for up |
| also usually come home within 24 hours, and then | | | | to three weeks at a time!) |
| return to regular activities within a week or so. | | | | So, as you can see, there are many good |
| So, aside from keeping your pet healthy and | | | | reasons to give that unsuspecting little fur ball a |
| happy, what are some other reasons to spay or | | | | "snip and tuck." If you're worried about the price, |
| neuter? Here are just a few:o Prevent pet | | | | low cost spay/neuter clinics are available in pretty |
| overpopulation: The PETCO Foundation reports | | | | much every community, so it's quite affordable |
| that only one out of 10 dogs born ever find a | | | | for most people. |