Pet Overpopulation

Did you know that the Humane Society of the United States estimates that 8 to 10 MILLION dogs and cats enter shelters yearly throughout the country and 4 to 5 million of these are killed each year?

Irresponsible breeding and lack of pet training and education contribute to these numbers. An average intact female cat can produce 3 litters per year with 4-6 kittens in each litter. In 7 years, a single cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats! An average intact female dog can produce 2 litters per year with 6-10 puppies in each litter. In 6 years, a single dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs!

Medical Benefits of Spaying and Neutering
Between 4 and 6 months of age, or when recommended by your veterinarian, you can schedule an appointment to have your pet spayed or neutered.

The medical benefits of spaying your female pet include:

• minimizing her risk of developing mammary (breast) cancer,
• preventing ovarian or uterine cancer,
• and preventing a life-threatening infection of the uterus (pyometra).

It is important to have the spay performed prior to the first heat cycle to reduce the chance of mammary cancer.

Neutering your male pet will:

• prevent testicular cancer
• and will minimize his risk of developing prostate disease and cancer.

Behavioral Benefits
Aside from medical benefits, there are also behavioral benefits of surgically altering your pet. These include:

• decreased tendency to roam or escape from your yard,
• reduced aggression,
• and reduced urine marking and humping.

A spay procedure (ovariohysterectomy) involves the removal of both ovaries and the uterus down to the level of the cervix. A neuter procedure (orchiectomy) involves the removal of both testicles.

The recovery period for both procedures is typically only 10 days. Please be an advocate for your pet and the millions of homeless pets in the country, and be sure to have this important surgery performed.

“Ever consider what they must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul- chicken, pork, half cow. They must think we’re the greatest hunters on earth!”
-Anne Tyler