HOOF AND PAW
Spay and Neuter to Save LIves
Did you know that every year in the United States 70 million puppies and kittens are born and an estimated 6 to 8 million of these will be surrendered to shelters? Three to 4 million of these surrendered animals are subsequently euthanized which equates to 5 out of 10 dogs and 7 out of 10 cats. These animals generally come from puppy mills, unwanted (oops) litters, un-spayed or un-neutered pet dogs and cats, feral and free roaming cats, “backyard breeders,” and animals surrendered because of behavioral or medical problems. And on average only 10% of animals taken in to shelters have been spayed or neutered. There are many myths surrounding spaying and neutering your pet including: Myth - Every female should have one litter before being spayed. Fact - There is no medical evidence to suggest any benefit to delaying spaying. Myth - Animals should be at least 6 months old before they are spayed or neutered. Fact - Early age spaying and neutering can be safely performed on young puppies and kittens.
Myth - Only females need to be altered. Fact - A male can impregnate multiple females very quickly so to control pet overpopulation it is imperative to neuter male pets. Myth - Altering an animal will decrease its ability to perform in sports such as hunting or retrieving. Fact - Studies prove that how an animal performs at a particular sport is related to genetics and training, not the animals testosterone levels. In fact, in addition to helping reduce the overpopulation of unwanted and homeless animals, there are many benefits to spaying and neutering your pet: • Spaying can reduce the risk of mammary cancer by up to 99.9% and eliminates the risk of potentially deadly uterine infections. • Spayed female dogs no longer have a heat cycle and therefore produce no unwanted offspring. • Neutering your dog can reduce the risk of prostate or testicular cancer by up to 99.9%. • Neutering reduces wandering behavior thus minimizing the chance of the dog becoming lost, being hit by a car or becoming a