Spay/Neuter Your Pet
Spay/Neuter Your Pet
Why Spay/Neuter Your Pet?
Sure, we all love those cute little puppy paws, eyes, and of course… puppy breath! These puppies grow up to be cherished parts of our families. But pet overpopulation is a HUGE problem.
We run a 100% spay/neuter program at NDLB because overpopulation leads to euthanizations of animals that could have made wonderful pets
The Numbers
- 6-8 Million Cats and Dogs enter a shelter every year
- 4 Million Cats and Dogs are euthanized every year
- 1 Dog/Cat is euthanized every 8 seconds
1. You will save thousands of lives. Failing to spay/neuter is the biggest cause of the pet overpopulation, suffering and euthanasia. Over 65,000 – the number of offspring ONE un-spayed/un-neutered dog or cat and his/her intact mate can produce in about six years if none of their offspring are spayed/neutered.
2. There are not enough people to adopt all of the animals that are being created. Your unwanted litter will most likely end up in a shelter where it may be killed/euthanized.
3. Your dog will be healthier and happier. Fixed dogs and cats have a longer expected lifespan and will have less chance of developing certain cancers and other life threatening illnesses.
4. Your dog will be better behaved, and less likely to roam, howl, spray and jump the fence.
5. You will save money. It is expensive to care for unwanted litters and the medical treatment associated (unfixed dogs and cats have more medical problems). Rabies tag/licensing may be lower for spayed/neutered pets.
6. Your pet will be less likely to attract unwanted strays to your home or property.
7. You will eliminate female heat (menstrual) cycles and the inconvenience involved. Heat cycles can last up to four weeks.
8. Spayed and neutered pets are more adaptable to your home and family.
9. Spaying/neutering is a simple outpatient surgery with a quick recovery.
10. Every litter counts. Evidence shows that females spayed BEFORE their first heat are typically healthier.
What Can You Do?
Adopt a rescue dog! All rescue dogs are spayed/neutered (if not of old enough to be spayed/neutered, a spay/neuter contract is signed), and are not contributing to the problem! If you adopt a rescue dog, another helpless dog can be rescued! The more dogs that come into rescue, the more that are spayed/neutered and not contributing to the overpopulation problem!
Another big step you can take is to spay/neuter your own pets! Even if you wouldn’t consider breeding, you should still alter your pet. Animals go missing every day, and by spaying/neutering your pet, you’re assuring that even if they do run away, you know they won’t be contributing to the pet overpopulation problem.
