Almost four million animals are destroyed in buildings we call “shelters” ever year. Although there is much disagreement among animal welfare advocates as to how to end the killing of shelter animals, there is one point on which most experts and advocates agree: the single most important way for us to reduce the number of animals who end up in our shelters is through having our pets spayed and neutered. Spay/neuter is good for your pet, is good for you and is good for your community.
It's good for your pet
•Spaying/neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by eliminating or reducing the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult and/or expensive to treat. Some reports indicate that having your pet fixed can add as much as three years to his or her life.
•It's better to spay your female pet before she goes into heat for the first time. This reduces the risk of breast cancer and eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.
•Neutered males will not develop testicular cancer and their risk for developing prostate cancer is greatly reduced.
It's good for you
•Spayed/neutered pets are usually better behaved and more calm and affectionate than those that are not spayed/neutered.
• Male cats are less likely to spray urine and mark their territory, especially if neutered prior to developing this habit.
• Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle, thereby eliminating regular bleeding, and the incessant crying and nervous behavior that often accompanies the heat cycle.
• Neutering decreases and animal's desire to escape and wander the neighborhood in search of a mate. This decreases the risk of fights, death caused by getting hit by cars, and lost or stolen pets.
• Spaying keeps unwelcome male animals away.
It's good for the community
• Communities spend millions of dollars to control homeless animals. Spay/neuter decreases the homeless animal population, reducing the number of animals needlessly destroyed.
• Spay/neuter decreases the number of stray animals which are often involved in dog bites and attacks, automobile accidents and damage to private property.
• Spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost which is relatively small when compared to all the benefits. It's a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter. Some communities have financial assistance programs to help offset costs and some regions offer clinics which do nothing but spay/neuter surgeries at very low rates.
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