Why Spay/Neuter?
We strongly believe in spaying or neutering pets. Here is a list of reasons why we believe in it so strongly:
Reduces Population Growth
Without spay and neuter initiatives, homeless animals are often euthanized, neglected or die of disease. Sterilization is critical for management of free-roaming dogs and cats and related disease control concerns.
Spay/neuter provides a humane and effective way to reduce the number of animals living on the streets, and improves the health of those remaining.
Very often new litters are an accident from a pet who got out and either became pregnant or impregnated another animal. There is such a high surplus of pets out there so we don't want to contribute to that problem, so be part of the solution to reducing the surplus of accidental litters.
Sterilizing feral cats and returning them to their territories on the streets allows for a natural reduction in their population over time.
Manage Hormone-Related Behaviors
Females no longer have a heat cycle, which this eliminates the attraction and approach of unwanted attention by male pets. Spayed female dogs will also no longer bleed during their cycle, limiting staining on furniture in the home and no longer needing diapers when in heat.
Roaming is greatly reduced as male dogs are less likely to wander off an owner’s property if they do not have the hormone drive to pursue a female in heat.
Neutering solves 90% of all marking issues, even in cats that have been doing it for a while. It can also minimize howling in cats and excessive barking in dogs.
Studies show that no matter how old a pet is when they are spayed/neutered, the results are the same: testosterone-related behaviors of roaming, urine marking, mounting, mating behaviors and same-sex aggression decrease or disappear. However in both cats and dogs, the longer you wait, the greater the risk of the surgery not doing the trick because the animal has practiced the behavior for a longer period of time, thereby reinforcing the habit.
Limits Health Risks
Spay/neutering reduces the risk of very serious, painful and sometimes fatal health concerns as in: female pyometra, mammary tumors, male testicular cancer and prostate disease, transmittable diseases which are all very common medical issues in pets who are not spay/neutered.
On average, animals who have been sterilized at an early age tend to live longer, healthier lives, potentially increasing their lifespans by an average of one to three years for dogs, and three to five years for cats.
A study, conducted by Banfield Pet Hospitals concluded that neutered male dogs lived 18% longer, spayed female dogs lived 23% longer, spayed female cats in the study lived 39% longer and neutered male cats lived 62% longer.
Is Cost Effective
By spaying or neutering your pet, you save the cost of caring for future litters and reduce the likelihood of your pet needing veterinary treatment for injuries occurring when roaming or fighting. In cases where intact dogs and cats may fight, treatment of their related injuries can also result in high veterinary costs.
Caring for a pet with reproductive system cancer or pyometra can easily run thousands of dollars—five to 10 times as much as a routine spay or neuter surgery.
For the best general recommendations about spaying/neutering that is drawn from a thorough analysis of research that is currently available, visit The American Animal Hospital Association’s article covering when to spay/neuter and more general information about spay/neuter.
Don’t Forget to Spread the Word!
By spaying or neutering your pet, you can help protect them against certain illnesses, help address unwanted behaviors, save money and save lives by reducing overpopulation. Contact your veterinarian or your local low-cost spay/neuter clinic to discuss and/or schedule your pet’s appointment and encourage your family and friends to do the same. If your community does not have affordable, accessible spay/neuter and wellness services available, advocate for this funding so that all pet owners have local access to quality medical care for their pets.
*Credit to The Humane Society, The American Animal Hospital Association and Pet Finder
