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So you want to breed your pet?
Don't Want to
Have Your Pet Spayed or Neutered?
click here for a printable version
Are you thinking of breeding your pet? Are you
unsure as to whether you want to have your pet sterilized or don't think that
it's necessary? Then here's something you should know: Spaying or neutering your
pet can help it live a longer, healthier life. It's true!
Studies have shown that spayed or neutered pets are
less likely to develop reproductive-related health problems. In fact, the
earlier in life that a dog or cat is altered, the better.
Another benefit to having a spayed or neutered dog or
cat is that your pet won't stray away from home to search for a mate. Also,
without the urge to mate, your pet is more likely to focus on you, resulting in
a closer bond with your animal companion.
Consider this: If your pet roams away to find a mate,
it faces the dangers of getting hit by a car, encountering people who might
abuse it, getting in to a fight with another animal, catching a disease from
another animal and other perils.
Spaying or neutering your pet also helps to eliminate
the pet overpopulation problem. Since there are not enough good homes for all of
the pets that are born, it's important that you prevent your pet from
reproducing.
Even if you can place all of the puppies or kittens
that your pet may have, you cannot guarantee that those animals won't reproduce.
If they do, you won't be able to control whether those litters will be placed in
good homes.
Another benefit to having your dog or cat spayed or
neutered is that most animal control agencies offer reduced licensing fees for
sterilized pets.
Also, spaying or neutering your pet is affordable!
Look through the "yellow pages" and ask for references from other pet owners you
know to find the veterinarian whose services and fees are just right for you.
FAQ's
Q: Isn't it dangerous for "Shadow" to
undergo a spay or neuter surgery?
A: No. Millions of cats and dogs have
been safely spayed or neutered by veterinarians across the country. The surgery
is common and routine for most veterinarians. If you're concerned about the
procedure, be sure to have your veterinarian thoroughly explain the steps of the
surgery to you.
Q: If I have "Sammy" sterilized, won't
he become fat and lazy?
A: Pets that have been spayed or
neutered can be just as active as unsterilized pets. Remember that any pet can
gain weight if it's not provided with appropriate nutrition and adequate
exercise.
Q: Isn't it healthier for "Misty" if I
breed her once?
A: No. Female dogs and cats are less
likely to develop medical complications in their senior years if they've never
been bred or experienced any estrus cycles.
Q: Won't "Jake's" personality change if
I have him neutered?
A: No. The basic personality of your
dog or cat won't change when it's sterilized.
Q: Wouldn't it be great for my kids to
witness the miracle of life by letting Bitsy" have a litter?
A: The birth of a litter of puppies, kittens or
other small pets is truly miraculous. However, it's equally important to teach
children about being responsible for these lives. Since this litter will add to
the pet overpopulation problem and there's no guarantee that they or any of
their future litters will have good, permanent homes, what other lesson will
your child be learning from this experience?
Homeless pets that already exist desperately need
your help in teaching kids about responsibility to animals and respect for all
life. Find out how you can help prevent pet overpopulation by visiting the Pet
Overpopulation fund website.
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Lewis Clark Animal Shelter
