Why Spay or Neuter Your Pets?
By Catherine Forman
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When you adopt a pet from a shelter, most will require that you spay or neuter your new pet. Many will point you to a vet that offers discounts on the procedure, or even give you a coupon so the surgery will be free.
You may think that spaying or neutering your pet is cruel... but unless you are planning to become a breeder, spaying or neutering is essential.
1. Spaying and neutering helps your pet live a longer, healthier life.
2. Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine and/or ovarian cancer and reduces the risk of breast cancer in female animals.
3. Neutering eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer and lowers the chances of prostate disease in male animals.
4. Pets that are spayed or neutered are often more affectionate, and have less temperament problems.
5. Neutered cats are less likely to spray to mark territory.
6. Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to roam the neighborhood or get into fights.
7. A dog or cat in heat is a target for the other animals in the neighborhood. When my parents' dog was in heat, we had a hard time keeping other dogs away from the yard. There was a LOT of howling.
8. A pregnant dog or cat is an extra financial burden -- vet visits and special food and then how many more new mouths to feed?
9. Animal shelters are full of animal mothers who got pregnant and got abandoned by their people.
10. Communities spend millions of dollars to help control unwanted and/or stray animals.
So... for a happier, healthier pet, please spay or neuter!
By Catherine Forman
Feedback About This Post:
RE: Why Spay or Neuter Your Pets?
Each breed/kind of pet has a specific time table, so don't assume the magic 1 year is good. You are too late then. You want surgery done before their hormones begin to create behaviors. Our German short hair went in at 7 months. I think female kittens is 16 weeks. The hormones in the body need a place to go and cancer for animals is common like it is for humans.
I like my 'child like' 8 yr old dog. Grandma's girl, with the 2 granddaughters. What happened to that old phrase "Do it after they have a batch". Ha. Back then we never went to the vet, either, unless for rabies shots. Now mine has all her shots up to date at all times, loves to visit the vet (lucky me lives at the end of their block) so our walks always end up at their door.
Post by T&T Grandma
RE: Why Spay or Neuter Your Pets?
Help !!
We have had our female cats 'fixed' :-) But the females are getting bites .. I mean ripping the hair out in 2 inches swatches .. with two point teeth marks .. !! one female has over 6 bites on her.. Is it normal for the males to still do this if their not in heat ?? And do the males mate ALL year..? This has been going on for months.. We didn't see this last year at ALL !Help, Lisa
Post By lisa Mickey (Guest Post)
RE: Why Spay or Neuter Your Pets?
Thank you, also, for spreading the word. Where I live, there are many many cats. They keep having litter after litter. I have neighbors that put their cats out and they aren't spayed. It is a HUGE problem. It isn't the animals fault, it is the ignorant owner. As far as a female dog not spayed, my mother's neighbor has had two bird dogs through the years. They both died from breast cancer, even the vet told them, but they didn't think it was necessary. I get so angry about this subject. I, too, am a vol. at an animal shelter and believe me, it is not a pretty picture.
Post By Enter your name. Malinda/Pa (Guest Post)
RE: Why Spay or Neuter Your Pets?
Thank You!! I am a volunteer for a non-profit animal group (DogsDeserveBetter.org) this has been an issue that has always been near and dear to my heart and it is nice to know that so many other people feel that same (unfortunately, not enough). Spread the word!
Post By Robyn (Guest Post)
RE: Why Spay or Neuter Your Pets?
Thank you Catherine. For the life of me, I don't know why people REFUSE to neuter and spay. For one, the pets are not happy going through life unaltered. Forcing a pet to live like this is cruelty in my opinion.
Keep spreading the word! If it makes one person stop, think and act, we are ahead!
Regards,
Jennifer
Northern Virginia
Post by ILuvDobes
RE: Why Spay or Neuter Your Pets?
YES ! YES ! HOW TRUE, EVERY WORD. KEEP SPREADING THE WORD. ONLY THOSE WHO DONT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS SURGERY WILL CHOSE TO NOT HAVE IT DONE. IT IS BEING KIND TO YOUR PET. ALSO, HEY ALL YOU MEN. DON'T PERSONALIZE IT, IT IS NOT HAPPENING TO YOU, THEY DO NOT FEEL THE WAY YOU DO ABOUT HAVING TESTICLES REMOVED ! :)
Post By CAROL (Guest Post)
RE: Why Spay or Neuter Your Pets?
Amen. Thank you for reminding people of this. Also, PLEASE do not get any baby bunnies, chicks, or other animals for Easter pets. It is not fair to the animal, as most of these are abandoned once they are grown.
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
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