Spay and Neuter Facts and Fiction

THE FACTS

The neutering operation for cats and dogs (spaying in females) is the best and safest method of pet birth control.  The alternative to birth control is the mass destruction of millions of unwanted, surplus pets.  This not only costly to the tax payer but repulsive to all of us who care about animals.

Neutering not only enhances your pet’s health and contentment, it reduces the cost of pet ownership.  The investment in neutering will more than pay for itself.  The owner of a neutered animal has no expense in caring for litters, fewer veterinary fees for health problems, and less accidents caused by the unaltered animal’s desire to roam and fight.

Consider the following benefits of spaying and neutering:

SPAYING FEMALE DOGS…

• Eliminates medical expenses for puppies.
• Eliminates owner’s need to find responsible homes for puppies.
• Eliminates heat cycles and accompanying bloody discharges.
• Eliminates expense and inconvenience of confinement during heat cycles.
• Prevents occurrence of false pregnancy (25 to 50% of unspayed dogs suffer from false pregnancy).
• Eliminates visits by unwelcome and aggressive male dogs.
• Eliminates possibility of infection of the uterus (a common and frequently fatal disease in unspayed dogs).
• Greatly reduces the chance of mammary cancer which is responsible for ½ all cancers in female dogs.  If spayed before the first heat period, they face only 1% the risk of mammary cancer as unspayed dogs.  For dogs spayed after the first heat period, the risk is still only 8% of that of unspayed dogs.

NEUTERING MALE DOGS…

• Reduces tendency to roam, particularly if altered at an early age (twice as many males as females are injured or killed by automobiles).
• Eliminates hazard of testicle tumors.
• Greatly reduces occurrence of prostatic problems and perianal tumors.
• Reduces the desire to mount other dogs.
• Reduces frustration which allows him to be a more devoted pet.

SPAYING FEMALES CATS…

• Eliminates medical expenses for kittens.
• Eliminates owner’s need to find responsible homes for kittens.
• Eliminates howling and the desire to roam associated with heat cycles.
• Eliminates infections of the uterus.
• Reduces risk of mammary cancer to 1/7 that of unspayed cats.

NEUTERING MALE CATS…

• Reduces roaming, howling and fighting.
• Reduces spraying house and furnishings.
• Reduces veterinarian bills for bite wounds and abscesses caused from fighting.
• Reduces frustration which allows him to be a more devoted pet.

THE FICTION

There are many misconceptions concerning the neutering of pets.  The following are some of these myths:

“I CAN’T AFFORD TO HAVE MY PET NEUTERED”

THIS STATEMENT IS FALSE… In fact: …You can’t afford not to, particularly since reduce-cost spaying and neutering is available at some veterinary clinics.  During the lifespan of your pet, you will spend more money on veterinary bills from injuries, maternity care, and infections associated with unneutered animals, not to mention the cost of caring for unwanted litters.  The neutering fee is only a one-time charge and is really insignificant compared to the total cost of caring and feeding your pet during its lifetime.  The investment in neutering could be considered health insurance for your pet.

“ALL CHILDREN SHOULD WITNESS THE MIRACLE OF BIRTH”

THIS STATEMENT IS FALSE … In fact: …Watching the process of birth is not worth bringing unwanted animals into the world.  Over 10 million dogs and cats are destroyed each year in this country because owners cannot be found to care for them.  No one would want their children to see these animals taken to the shelter or be euthanized because they are surplus and unwanted.

“WE CAN FIND A GOOD HOME FOR EVERY ONE OF THE LITTER”

THIS STATEMENT IS FALSE … In fact: … It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to find homes for puppies and kittens.  Have ever noticed the hundreds of animals advertised for sale or to be given away every day in the newspaper?  Statistics show that out of the average litter of five, four of them are destined to be killed within the first year.

“THE HUMANE SOCIETY WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM”

THIS STATEMENT IS FALSE … In fact: … Most towns do not have private humane societies and, when they do, they often are at their capacity and are not able to take more animals.  Approximately 80% of all animals taken to public shelters are destroyed due to the tremendous overpopulation of pets.

“ANIMALS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HAVE ONE LITTER”

THIS STATEMENT IS FALSE … In fact: …There are health hazards when parenting a litter.  Having a litter neither adds to nor subtracts from a pet’s personality.

“NEUTERED ANIMALS BECOME FAT AND LAZY”

THIS STATEMENT IS FALSE … In fact: … There is no reason why a properly exercised and fed pet should become fat or lazy after neutering.  Pets only become obese if the owners allow it.

“NEUTERING WILL HURT MY PET”

THIS STATEMENT IS FALSE … In fact: … Although there are always some risks with any type of surgery, they are relatively few, and neutering is a safe operation performed by a highly qualified veterinarian.  After surgery your pet will be more contented, healthier, and make a better, loving companion.

“NEUTERING WILL BREAK MY PET’S SPIRIT”

THIS STATEMENT IS FALSE … In fact: … Neutering will change your pet’s personality only for the better.  It frequently makes a more gentle and affectionate pet.  Since neutering diminished the amorous interest in the opposite sex, the animal’s life centers more on its human family.  Neutering increases a dog’s protective sense in family and territory, making a more effective watch dog.

“NEUTERING IS NOT NATURAL”

THIS STATEMENT IS FALSE … In fact: … Although it is natural for animals to reproduce, it is our responsibility to be sure that unwanted dogs and cats are not born into a world without homes.  Irresponsible pet owners are allowing pets to breed indiscriminately which is the cause of millions of homeless cats and dogs dying of starvation, being killed by cars and diseases, or being taken to animal shelters where they are euthanized.  It is not natural for pets to be born, only to die.  Therefore, it is more natural and kinder to spay and neuter pets.