Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Stopping pet overpopulation starts with YOU!
Spaying or neutering a pet is an important decision for pet owners.
As animal lovers who value our furry companions, it is important to understand the benefits and impact of this choice.
As animal lovers who value our furry companions, it is important to understand the benefits and impact of this choice.
PET OVERPOPULATION IS EVERYWHERE
In every neighborhood, in every city, in every state, there are homeless animals. In the U.S. alone, there are an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals that are surrendered to animal shelters every year. About half of these animals are adopted, but, tragically, the other half are euthanized. These are healthy, sweet pets who would have made great companions. The number of homeless animals varies state-to-state. In some states there are as many as 300,000 homeless animals euthanized in animal shelters every year. Sadly, these are not the offspring of homeless or stray animals—these are often the puppies and kittens of family pets and even purebreds. |
YES, YOUR PET’S OFFSPRING COULD END UP SHELTER ANIMALS
Many people believe that their pet’s puppies or kittens could never become shelter animals. But the reality is that every time an unaltered dog escapes the fence to visit the neighbor’s dog, or the indoor/outdoor cat comes home pregnant, the result is a litter of puppies or kittens. Even if the pet owner places the puppies or kittens into homes, it is still possible for these pets to end up in shelters for any number of reasons (they get “too big” are “hard to handle”, “take too much time”, or other excuses). There is also the chance that these new litters may also reproduce, causing the next generation of puppies or kittens to wind up homeless.
Nationwide, more than 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year in shelters. Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100% effective method of birth control for pets and CAN HELP REDUCE THE PET POPULATION.
Many people believe that their pet’s puppies or kittens could never become shelter animals. But the reality is that every time an unaltered dog escapes the fence to visit the neighbor’s dog, or the indoor/outdoor cat comes home pregnant, the result is a litter of puppies or kittens. Even if the pet owner places the puppies or kittens into homes, it is still possible for these pets to end up in shelters for any number of reasons (they get “too big” are “hard to handle”, “take too much time”, or other excuses). There is also the chance that these new litters may also reproduce, causing the next generation of puppies or kittens to wind up homeless.
Nationwide, more than 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year in shelters. Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100% effective method of birth control for pets and CAN HELP REDUCE THE PET POPULATION.
NOT JUST FOR DOGS AND CATS
Pet overpopulation isn’t limited to just cats and dogs. In order to make a greater impact on helping to reduce the number of homeless pets, don’t forget to spay or neuter your pet rabbit. Rabbits reproduce faster than dogs or cats and often end up in shelters where they are euthanized. Other benefits to spaying and neutering rabbits including reducing hormone-driven behavior in males such as lunging, mounting, spraying and boxing. Spaying females can prevent ovarian, mammary and uterine cancers, which can be prevalent in mature females.
Millions of homeless pets die each year. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution. Contact your veterinarian today to make an appointment for your pet. You can also help by spreading the word about the importance of spay/neuter to your community.
Pet overpopulation isn’t limited to just cats and dogs. In order to make a greater impact on helping to reduce the number of homeless pets, don’t forget to spay or neuter your pet rabbit. Rabbits reproduce faster than dogs or cats and often end up in shelters where they are euthanized. Other benefits to spaying and neutering rabbits including reducing hormone-driven behavior in males such as lunging, mounting, spraying and boxing. Spaying females can prevent ovarian, mammary and uterine cancers, which can be prevalent in mature females.
Millions of homeless pets die each year. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution. Contact your veterinarian today to make an appointment for your pet. You can also help by spreading the word about the importance of spay/neuter to your community.
LOW COST OPTIONS AVAILABLE!
We know that vet care for your pet can be expensive at times, but there are low cost options available to ensure pet owners are able to give proper care to their animals. Talk to your veterinarian about their spay/neuter options or contact the Animal Protection League of Longview (APL) and learn more about their low cost spay/neuter and vaccination options.
We know that vet care for your pet can be expensive at times, but there are low cost options available to ensure pet owners are able to give proper care to their animals. Talk to your veterinarian about their spay/neuter options or contact the Animal Protection League of Longview (APL) and learn more about their low cost spay/neuter and vaccination options.