10 WORST REASONS NOT TO

SPAY OR NEUTER A PET

 

 1. Just one litter and then we'll have Fluffy spayed.

 

Studies show that virtually the entire pet overpopulation problem stems from the "just one litter" mentality.  Every day, litters are turned into the pound, the Humane Society and rescue organizations because the owners could find homes for them.  Just go to www.petfinder.com and enter a search for puppies…see for yourself just how many are for adoption through humane societies and rescues!  And those don’t include the thousands that are being put down every year because the humane societies and rescues are full!

 

2. My dog doesn't run wild, so it doesn't need to be fixed.

 

There is no guarantee that your dog won't get loose at some time or another… or that another dog won’t jump your fence and impregnate your female dog.  Males neutered early in life are less aggressive toward other males and are not distracted by females in heat. Therefore, a neutered male will be less tempted to leave your property and cross that dangerous highway searching for a mate. Neutered males also are less likely to mark every one of your (or your neighbor's) expensive shrubs with his urine as well as inside the house. Spaying your female pet eliminates the problem of stray males camping in your yard and decreases her desire to roam and breed.

 

 3. We always find "good" homes for the puppies or we can sell them to make money.

 

Are your "good" homes going to be equally, or possibly, more irresponsible than you (e.g. not spaying or neutering the dog and letting it outside--thinking of the dog as a disposable pet)? And what about all those puppies/dogs (and kittens/cats) already in shelters waiting for good homes? As for selling them to make money, even well-known breeders are fortunate if they break even on raising purebred litters. The cost of raising a litter -- which includes  vaccinations, wormings, and other health care costs, and feeding a quality food -- consumes most of the "profit."

 

4. I want my children to witness the miracle of birth.

 

Are you then going to take your children to the pound to watch those puppies be euthanized so they can witness the tragedy of death? Seventy-five percent of animals that end up in shelters in this country are euthanized.   Only 1 in 5 puppies out of every litter will survive the first two years.  Ask yourself where your puppies will end up when you can't find homes for them all…and which ones will you sentence to death.

 

As far as learning about birth, go to your local library; there are books and videos about the miracle of birth.  Pets often have their litters in the middle of the night or in a place of their own choosing. Because pets need privacy when giving birth, any unnecessary intrusion can cause the mother to become seriously upset. These intrusions can result in an unwillingness to continue the labor forcing a C-section or death to the mother and babies, an unwillingness to care for the offspring, or in injury to the owners or to the pet.

 

5. My dog is so cute and unique; there should be more of her.

 

Have you been to your local animal shelter lately? They are filled with cute and unique dogs--most with only a few days left to live.  Even breeding two purebred animals rarely results in offspring that are exactly like of the parents.  With mixed breeds, it is virtually impossible to have offspring that are exactly like one of the parents.

 

6. It's not natural.

 

There hasn't been anything "natural" about dogs since we domesticated them and began to develop breeds thousands of years ago.

 

7. I just couldn't look my dog in the eye if I had him castrated.

 

You're anthropomorphizing (i.e. giving the dog human feelings). Your dog doesn't have a sense of gender in the way that humans do.  He/she will not know that you have removed their sexual organs.  Be “man” enough to do the right thing!

 

8. A female dog or cat should have at least one litter for health reasons.

 

This argument is indefensible medically and ethically.  Spaying your female pet before her first heat cycle (that is, before she reaches sexual maturity) greatly reduces her chances of developing breast cancer and completely eliminates the threat of uterine and ovarian cancer and uterine infection, which are common occurrences in unaltered females.  Neutering your male dog or cat prevents testicular tumors and may prevent prostate problems. Neutering also decreases the possibility of perianal tumors and hernias, which are commonly observed in older, unaltered dogs.  Because neutered animals are less likely to roam, the threat of abscesses caused by bites and diseases transmitted by fighting are greatly reduced.

  

9. Neutering my dog will make him fat and lazy.

 

Too much food and not enough exercise make a dog fat and lazy. Neutering or spaying may diminish your pet's overall activity level, natural tendency to wander, and hormonal balances, which may influence appetite. Pets that become fat and lazy after being altered usually are overfed and do not get enough exercise.

 

10. Fixing my pet will change his/her personality.

 

THE PRIMARY INFLUENCE ON AN ANIMAL'S PERSONALITY IS THE KINDNESS AND CARE WITH WHICH IT IS RAISED.  Any change created by spaying or neutering will be for the better. After being altered, your pet will be less aggressive toward other dogs or cats, have a better personality, and will be less likely to wander. Spraying (urine marking), which is often done by dogs and cats to mark their territory, diminishes or ceases after pets are altered.

 

SO WHAT’S YOUR EXCUSE NOW – SPAY OR NEUTER TODAY!