posted 10-30-2003 08:20 AM         

Have your pets spay or neutered.

Consider that there are upwards of 10 million ‘excess’ dogs and cats being killed in the shelters this year and then consider the millions of homeless animals that live a short, hungry existence on the streets and end up dying miserably of disease or injury. Then consider that on average 1/3 of the animals in the shelters are purebred (either intentionally or accidentally). Why then, if you are a responsible caring dog owner, would you not spay or neuter your pet?

All of our pets have been spayed or neutered PERIOD! Of all the animals that we have had in our lives, both as children or adults, have been ‘fixed’ and not one of them have experienced any adverse effects of the procedure. We always hear the same old lines: ‘I couldn't’t do that to another guy’, why risk surgery of any type if it is not necessary (see our list below), I want my children to experience the miracle of birth (our suggestion - get a video or better yet ever hear of The Animal Planet on cable?), and another excuse is the belief that the animal will get fat. It's true that spaying and neutering does change an animal's metabolism but just keep in mind that a spayed or neutered animal requires fewer calories for maintenance than an intact one. Also, animals, just like people, need exercise and physical activity to maintain their ideal weight. We are responsible for keeping our cats and dogs active.

Another thing to think about, is that, if you do breed your pet and you do find good homes for the entire litter, each of those babies takes the place of another puppy or kitten that could have been adopted or it went to a home with someone else who does not believe in spaying or neutering – then the cycle continues, or worse, those puppies or kittens take the place of other animals that will then have to die. Do not think that kittens and puppies all get to be adopted. Some shelters are just too overcrowded and the kids will go straight to be euthanized. Even if you take an unwanted animal to a ‘no kill’ shelter -- they may not have space. Even if they do accept your litter, it could mean that other animals will be turned away, and taken to a shelter that may indeed kill them.

Dogs and cats should be surgically sterilized to prevent unwanted pregnancies as well as undesirable mating-related characteristics and behaviors. In females, this operation is called "spaying" and involves removal of the ovaries and uterus through an abdominal incision. For males, "neutering" involves surgically removing the testicles. In most cases, your animal companion will be able to go home either the same day or the next day, and within a few days will be fully recovered. Young animals bounce back much quicker from these surgeries than older ones. In the past, veterinarians recommended that a cat or dog be at least six months of age before they were sterilized. However, many cats and dogs reach sexual maturity before they are six months old, and many unplanned litters have resulted from this standard. Today, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends "early spay/neuter," which is the sterilization of puppies and kittens between 8 and 16 weeks of age. This has proven to be very safe, with rapid recovery. Many shelters now require adopted animals to be spayed or neutered before they can go home. This policy has begun to make a noticeable difference in the number of unwanted litters, but overpopulation is still a very serious problem.

Following is a number of reasons why you should spay and or neuter you pet: