Stupid Reason #3
How can you play a part in saving the lives of thousands of cats and dogs?
Spaying and Neutering has been preached for many years now, but let’s look at the facts. In Los Angeles County fiscal year 2004-2005 alone 40,174 animals were impounded, the largest number in the nation. Of that number 18,804 dogs were euthanized! Someone is not getting the message. For many of us these are numbers, just statistics but imagine the people who work at the shelters and have to carry out these procedures. As an animal lover I really can’t imagine it.
What are the reasons people taken their pets to shelters?
- Owners have to move and can’t take their pet with them.
- People don’t get their pet spayed and wound up with an unwanted litter.
- Can’t afford the pet, didn’t realize what it would cost or unable to because of a current financial situation.
- Sick pet, can’t afford the vet bills.
- Too busy, don’t have the time to spend with the pet
A couple of those reasons are due to circumstance beyond our control. Today’s economy is a good example of that, quite a few people are having to give up their pets because of it. A couple of the reasons however are due to irresponsibility such as not spaying or neutering.
What are the benefits of spaying?
- Better Health. For female dogs and cats spaying reduces uterine, ovarian and breast cancers. For male dogs and cats it reduces the risk of prostate and testicular cancer plus hernias and tumors. And by the way, it does not make them fat, just like us proper exercise and eating will take care of that.
- Better behavior. When your pets are spayed or neutered you won’t have the nervousness and crying in females or the aggression and wandering in males or the spraying of male cats to mark their territory.
What exactly is Spaying and Neutering?
- In the female dog or cat, spaying is the removal of their reproductive organs, the ovaries and uterus. For the male dog or cat it is the removal of their testicles.
- The operations are done under anesthesia, your pet may stay in the Vet’s office for a few hours or days it depends on their age, size and health. There will be some stitches that will need to come out in a few days also.
Check with your own Veterinarian about what age is best for your pet. It is generally recommended that for both female cats and dogs they get spayed before their first heat and male cats between 4-6 months, male dogs between 6-12 months.
Here is a mind blowing statistic; one female cat can have 20,000 kittens in five years! Here’s another set of facts, 70,000 puppies and kittens come into this world every year while only 10,000 humans are born, there just is not enough homes to go around for the animals. For the few people who still believe that it would be a swell thing for their children to see the miracle of birth, I ask you to go visit a local shelter and see for yourself the tragedy of pet overpopulation.
In closing remember, spaying and neutering saves the lives of countless unborn pets. You’ll still have the companion, watchdog, best friend you always wanted only he or she will be happier, healthier and live longer.
Your Best Friend Is Counting On You
Visit us at www.WhiskerFeathers.com
Photo by Shmoomeema Released under Creative Commons
