One of our top priorities as pet owners should be to spay and neuter our pets. Millions of cats and dogs are euthanized or suffer as strays each year. According to the ASPCA approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized (390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats) each year in the United States.
Having your pet spayed or neutered can help reduce that number.
Female cats can become pregnant at around 5 months. The size of each litter can be anywhere between 1-8 kittens and each cat can have 2-3 litters each year. One cat can produce hundreds of kittens in her lifetime.
A female dog can become pregnant at around 6 months. The size of each litter can be anywhere between 1-12 puppies. This can vary by breed and by the size of the dog. A dog can have 3 litters of puppies a year.
Reasons to Spay and Neuter
Prevents pregnancy and reduces the number of unwanted animals
Can curb aggressive behavior such as biting and territorial aggression
Reduces the desire to roam. This decreases the chance of accidents, getting into fights with other animals and contracting contagious diseases
Decreases vocalization when females are in heat
Reduces mounting behaviors
Cuts down on excessive barking
Spayed female won’t go into heat
Stops female cats from “spraying” stops dogs and cats from urinating to mark their territory
Spayed and neutered cats and dogs typically live longer lives. Spaying eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer and prevents pyometra (a life-threatening infection of the uterus)
Reduces the risk of mammary cancer
Neutering can prevent testicular and prostate cancer in males
How to Find Low Cost Spay & Neuter Services
Talk to your veterinarian, many offer low-cost services, or they can refer you to someone who does.
Call your local Humane Society. They can help you find a low-cost spay and neuter clinic in your area.
Angels for Animals
They offer pet adoption, grooming, veterinary service and spaying and neutering.
North Shore Animal League America’s Spay USA
Nationwide referral network for affordable spay and neuter services.
Pet Smart Charities
Provides a searchable database of low-cost spay and neuter clinics.
Please do your part to reduce the number of unwanted and stray animals. Have you pets spayed or neutered as soon as they are old enough.
The Tech Minimalist 