THE PET POPULATION PROBLEM

Three to four millions dogs and cats- about one every eight seconds- including puppies and kittens, are needlessly destroyed in U.S. shelters each year. The good news is that every pet owner can make a difference. By having your dog or cat surgically sterilized, you will do your part to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens and you will enhance your pet’s health and quality of life.
Dogs and Cats

PET OVERPOPULATION FACTS

CATS

  • Average number of litters per year is 3
  • Average number of kittens per litter is 4-6
  • In 7 years one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats

DOGS

  • Average number of litters per year is 2
  • Average number of puppies per litter is 6-10
  • In 6 years one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs


WHAT IS THE BEST AGE TO SPAY OR NEUTER MY PET?

A dog or cat can be surgically altered at almost any age. Your veterinarian can advise you on the most appropriate time for your particular pet based upon its breed, age and physical condition

Pet photos on a line

WHAT IS SURGICAL ALTERING?

During surgical altering, a veterinarian removes certain reproductive organs. If your cat or dog is a female, the veterinarian will usually remove her ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. The medical name for this operation is an ovariohysterectomy, although it is commonly called “spaying.” If your pet is a male, the testicles are removed and the operation is called an orchiectomy, commonly referred to as castration or simply “neutering.” While both spaying and neutering are major surgical procedures, they are also the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians on cats and dogs. Before the operation, your pet will be given a thorough physical examination to ensure that your pet is in good health. General anesthesia will be administered before the surgery making the procedure non-painful. You will be asked to keep your pet calm and quiet for a few days afterwards until the incision begins to heal.

S.N.I.P.P Spay/Neuter Innocent Pets Partnership
BENEFITS AND FACTS ABOUT SPAYING
OR NEUTERING YOUR PET

  • Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer when your pet is spayed before her first heat cycle.
  • Spaying eliminates pacing, crying & heat cycles in female dogs and cats.
  • Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate cancer.
  • Neutering makes male cats and dogs less likely to roam, bite, run away or get into fights.
  • Spaying and neutering eliminates unwanted litters that lead to the pet overpopulation problem.
  • Sterilization will not make your pet fat and lazy. Too much food and too little exercise will cause your pet to become overweight.
  • Sterilization can help your pet to become calmer, more content and more dependable.
  • Children do not need to experience the miracle of birth. It should be explained that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others
  • Neutering will not cause male pets to feel like less of a male. Pets don’t have a concept of sexual identity or ego. The only thing your male pet will lose is his ability to produce a litter. He will remain territorial and protective as ever.
  • Allowing a female pet to have at least one heat or litter does not make her a better pet. Evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat cycle are typically healthier. Your female pet’s personality will benefit from spaying not from having a litter.

Buddies

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