Category Archives: Spay and Neuter

It is Spring again and that means lots of new animals being born.  In the wild bear mothers are out of their dens with their new cubs, birds are eagerly building nests and all types of wildlife is welcoming new life into the world.  In the more tame world, dogs  and cats are getting ready to make new puppies and kittens.

But in the world of animal rescue and animal shelters, they are preparing for the influx of unwanted animals.  Puppies and kittens are pretty much born year round, but the Spring seems to be when the heavy numbers arrive.  The unfortunate truth is the more of them there are–the more of them that will be euthanized.  People who work in animal rescue of all kinds are aware of this.

I personally hate the idea of having these wonderful puppies and kittens born only to know many of them will be killed.  It is one thing if young animals die to a predator in the wild.  That is the way nature works.  It is a far different thing for them to be eventually euthanized because a permanent loving home cannot be found for them.

In a perfect world, all domestic pets would have good and loving permanent homes.  They would be valued for their work or as pets and companions.  But the truth is that isn’t the way it is and we will never get to zero kill shelters unless we have our pets spayed or neutered in order to reduce the population of unwanted animals.

Please, if you have a pet dog or cat have them ‘fixed.’  Don’t put it off.  Don’t take an attitude about keeping your pet ‘whole.’  The fact is your dog or cat will live longer and most likely be healthier if they are spayed or neutered.  They will also be a better pet because their mating instinct will diminish and their entire focus will be on their human family.

Please also don’t think it is better to have one litter before spaying or neutering.  I have heard that said quite often, but I have yet to see any evidence that it makes any difference to the cat or dog.  Ask your vet and they will probably tell you they would rather just go ahead and do the surgery and that one litter won’t make any difference to the animal.  So please don’t put this off.  You will find a link below that will direct you to low cost spay and neuter clinics in your area.  Do the right thing by your pets and get it done.

Just look at a few facts from the ASPCA by way of Care2;

Here are some facts from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to share with people who are on the fence about spaying or neutering their pets:

• There are about 5,000 animal shelters nationwide.
• Approximately 3 million to 4 million companion animals are euthanized in shelters annually.
• Only 10 percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered.
• The majority of pets in the U.S. are obtained from friends, family and acquaintances whose animal has given birth to a litter.
• The second most popular way pets are obtained is through purchases from breeders or pet shops.
• Only 10 to 20 percent of people adopt their pet from an animal shelter or rescue group.
• Five out of ten dogs in shelters and seven out of ten cats are euthanized because there is no one to adopt them.
• The average number of litters a cat can produce is one to two a year – with 4 to 6 kittens per litter.
• The average number of litters a dog can produce in one year is one – with 4 to 6 puppies per litter.

The ASPCA offers an easy to use database for people looking for a low-cost spay and neuter clinic in their area.  Click Here to see clinics in your area.