Spray and Neuter Information 

Every day in the United States, thousands upon thousands of puppies and kittens are born because of the irresponsible breeding of pets. If you add to that the number of offspring of stray and abandoned animals, the total becomes even more staggering.

Every year, between 8 and 12 million animals enter shelters in the United States. Some 4 to 6 million of these animals are destroyed because there are not enough homes for them.

Some people refuse to spay or neuter their pet because they mistakenly think that it would be nice for their pet to have puppies or kittens. But what they don't realize is that each responsible home that is found for these puppies and kittens means one less home that is available for the thousands of shelter animals that are waiting to be adopted. Every day, animal shelters across the United States are forced to destroy thousands of animals for lack of responsible homes.

Spaying and neutering can drastically improve your pet's health and disposition. The idea that pets become fat and lazy after spaying or neutering is a myth.

Sterilized pets lead healthier, longer lives.

Consider These Facts

• In six years, one female dog and her offspring can be the source of 67,000 puppies
• In just seven years, one female cat and her young can produce 420,000 kittens
• There is no limit to the number of offspring male dogs and cats can produce
• Every day in the United States, thousands upon thousands of puppies and kittens are born. Compare this to the 11,000 human births each day, and you can see that there will never be enough homes for all these pets

What Does This Have to do With Me?
It can be hard to imagine how letting your pet have just one litter can cause a problem, especially if you are able to find homes for all of your pet's puppies or kittens. But the fact is that "just one litter" does cause pet overpopulation. In less than a year, all of the puppies or kittens in your pet's litter could be having litters of their own. Every day, thousands of healthy puppies and kittens must be destroyed - and all of these puppies and kittens came from "just one litter."

You Can Help Solve This Problem
How can you help to solve this problem? There is a very easy and affordable answer. Spay or neuter your pet. Being a responsible owner means choosing spay or neuter surgery - it means making a choice that saves lives. You can prevent an unwanted litter of puppies and kittens and be a part of the solution of pet overpopulation.

It's Good for Your Pet

• Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives
• The surgery can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat
• Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer in females
• Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate cancer in males

It's Good for You

• Spaying and neutering makes your pet a better, more affectionate companion
• Cats that are neutered are less likely to spray and mark territory
• Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals
• Spaying and neutering makes pets less likely to bite
• Neutering your pet will make him less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights

Excuses and Myths

"My pet will get fat and lazy"
The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don't provide them with enough exercise.

"It's better to have just one litter first"
Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. Evidence shows that females who are spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as 8 weeks of age.

"My pet is a purebred"
So is at least one out of every four animals brought to shelters around the country. There are too many animals, period - purebred and mixed breeds.

"I want my dog to be protective"
Having your pet spayed or neutered does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. The personality of your pet is formed more by genetics and environment.

"I don't want my male pet to feel any less of a male"
Pets don't have egos! Neutering your pet will not change his basic personality. He won't suffer any kind of identity crisis when you have him neutered.

"Spaying and Neutering is too expensive"
The cost of having your pet spayed or neutered depends on its size, age, sex, your veterinarian's fee, and several other variables. But the cost is a one-time cost, and it's relatively small when you consider all the benefits of having your pet spayed or neutered. Having just one litter of puppies or kittens can create an extensive veterinary bill, not to mention food bill. The cost of having your pet spayed or neutered is a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of unwanted births.

"I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens"
Sure, you may find homes for all the puppies and kittens from your pet's litter, but each home you find will mean one less home for unwanted animals in shelters across the United States that desperately need good, loving homes. In addition, the puppies and kittens from your one litter will be able to have their own litter, adding even more animals to the population.