Spaying & Neutering Saves Lives
Every year in the United States, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays/ferals. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.
By spaying or neutering your pet, you’ll help control the pet homelessness crisis, which results in healthy dogs and cats being euthanized simply because there aren’t enough homes to go around. Allowing your pet to have a litter takes away the chances of shelter animals finding a forever home.
There are medical and behavioral benefits to spaying and neutering your animals
Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.
Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
Your spayed female won't go into heat.
While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat for four to five days every three weeks during breeding season (in San Diego this is pretty much year round). In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently – sometimes all over the house!
Neutering provides major health benefits for your male.
Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems. Also, intact males will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes finding creative ways to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic, fights with other males and deadly encounters with wildlife, i.e., coyotes.
Your neutered male will be much better behaved.
Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
It is highly cost-effective.
Your female cat does NOT want to help you or your kids experience the miracle of birth.
The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!
Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
Letting your children learn responsibility and experience saving animals through spaying and neutering will be far more valuable to them than a litter of kittens.
Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds–not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth.
Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children–especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way. Don't be a part of the problem, be a part of the solution!!!