| With millions of unwanted animals losing their lives | | | | animals in their foster system. |
| in shelters around the country each year, clearing | | | | Myth: I can find good homes for the puppies and |
| up some common misconceptions about spaying | | | | kittens. While you may believe that you will be |
| and neutering that pet owners have is a very | | | | able to get friends, relatives, and acquaintances to |
| crucial part of humane education. Below are some | | | | adopt the first litter, how many of the offspring |
| of the common objections people raise when | | | | will really have a good home for life? What about |
| they are urged by animal rescue workers to alter | | | | subsequent litters? Will the person taking the |
| their pets, and the facts provided to overcome | | | | offspring take responsibility to get the animal vet |
| these objections. | | | | care when needed, and alter the puppy or |
| Myth: Spaying or neutering will make my pet fat | | | | kitten...or will the animal produce litters of its own, |
| and lazy. The truth is: Pets become overweight | | | | thus adding to the growing tragedy of pet |
| for the same reasons people do: overeating and | | | | overpopulation? Kittens and puppies given away |
| not getting enough exercise. Don't overfeed your | | | | for free often end up in research labs or used in |
| pet, and be sure that he/she gets plenty of play | | | | dog fighting rings as bait, so don't EVER advertise |
| time and has lots of interesting toys to play with. | | | | free puppies or kittens. |
| Myth: My cat/dog should have one litter first. The | | | | Myth: My pet is a purebred, so I don't want to |
| truth is: There is no medical evidence to support | | | | alter him/her. The sad truth is, at least one fourth |
| the theory that having a litter before spaying is | | | | of the animals that enter our shelters each year |
| good for a cat or dog. On the contrary, females | | | | are also purebred pets. They are often purchased |
| spayed before their first heat cycle have a | | | | from a puppy mill or high priced breeder and then |
| greatly reduced occurrence of breast cancer. If | | | | become abandoned or given up when they |
| the reason you want your pet to have puppies or | | | | become inconvenient. If you are looking for a |
| kittens is so that your children can witness "the | | | | purebred pet, most shelters actually have lists |
| miracle of birth" then contact your local no-kill | | | | where potential owners can sign up and be |
| rescue organization and foster a pregnant cat or | | | | notified when the breed they are looking for |
| dog. Many no-kill organizations take in pregnant | | | | comes in. There are also many breed-specific |
| animals, and are always desperately seeking | | | | rescue groups that exist to help unwanted |
| foster homes for them. Usually the rescue | | | | purebreds. If you must have a purebred, save a |
| organization will cover any veterinary expenses | | | | life and adopt one from a shelter or breed-specific |
| involved with the foster animal and her litter, and | | | | rescue organization. |
| many will even provide food and litter for the | | | | |