How Spay & Neuter Can Save Lives How Spay & Neuter Can Save Lives & Save

by Karen Fitch

In 2021, there was an estimated 7169 animals killedinshelters acrossthe state of South Carolina. While this number is significantly lower due to a state-wide initiative to make SC the first No-Kill State in theSouth, itis still 7169toomany.

Unfortunately, the numberonereasonanimals are euthanized at shelters isduetoovercrowding.This means there are too many unwanted animals versus theamountofresourcesthe facility has to care for them.

Tragically, many underfunded shelters have found extermination to be the only solution. But there isanothersolution;wecan save ourfurryfriends through preventative measures. By spaying and neutering our animals, we can help finally put an end to cruel and unnecessary animal euthanasia.

When I was a child, my parents bought an Airedale Terrier as our family’s pet. Max was a great dog –to us. But, he was not great to anyone else. He bit two people, including one of my best friends, whose mother never let her play at my house again. Max was never neutered. At the time, my father did not believe in altering dogs. Later, after Max had passed, I heard my father say, in hindsight, he shouldhaveneuteredMax.

Myparentshavetwofemale dogs now, and both have been spayed. I recently askedhimwhatchangedhis mind about spaying and neutering animals. He told me he was not that educated on the subject. “Back in the 80s, there just was not the research or push as there is today to haveyourdogfixed.Hadwe neutered Max, maybe he would never have had that problemwithaggression,”my fatherconcluded.

Almost 40 years have now passed since we first got Max, and my dad made that decision to not neuter him. Luckily,inthoselast40 years, a lot of research has been done regarding spayingandneutering.

Cats

In theory, it is estimated that two cats and their offspringcanproduceupto 420,0000 kittens in seven years. The reason is because cats are seasonally polyestrous, meaningQueens (unspayed females) will cycle in and out of heat until impregnated, having up to three litters per year. I reached out to Bruce Eilts, a Professor Emeritus in theriogenology at Louisiana State University to better understand this. “Cyclity in the queen is based upon daylight length. Queens normally cycle with long day lengths (12 hours). Remember however, that queens exposed to artificial light may have cyclesallyearround.” heartbreaking to see how many people lose or have lost their cat due tosomething so easilypreventable as spayingandneutering.

The good news is that Banfield also concluded that spayed female cats live an average of 39% longer and neutered male cats live an averageof62%longerthantheirnonsterilizedcounterparts.

It is recommended that cats should be altered before they are 5 months old, as they can become pregnantasyoungas4monthsofage.

Cayce resident Sandy Lento, who formerly served as a feline adoption center/ shelter manager in Falmouth, Massachusetts says, female cats will continue their heat cycles throughout their years “untiltheyare spayed.”There is no menopause for cats (or dogs). She also notes thatintact male cats will roam for miles to find a mate, sometimes getting multiple partnersinonenight.

In the Banfield Pet Hospital State of Pet Health Report 2013, it was found that non-neutered cats are four times as likely to be hit by a car than neutered cats. Unfortunately, no matter how great a cat’s life is at home, an unfixed cat’s desire to mateismuchgreater.Itis

Dogs

Similartheoriesestimate that two dogs and their offspring can produce up to 96,0000 puppies in seven years. That is about the size of Mount Pleasant, the fourth largest city in South Carolina. While female dogsonlygothroughheat

Spay/Neuter continued on page 14

by Romana Gould

Escape Escape

Your life story is like an epic movie, with all the joys and challenges that come with the experience of being human. At times you may feel lost inside a gloomy movie with no way out. You run scripts in your mind about what she said, what he did, and how it didn’t match your idea of how things should be. The happiest people learn to step outside of the pages of their own story, close the book and set it aside. They learn to pause the non-stop conversation inside of their mind, and with clarity they see the world with new eyes.

Dream Dream Dream Dream

Achievers are dreamers who believe in possibility. They think big and hold tight to the belief that what they want is already on the way. When you have the freedom to think anything you want, why not think big? Dare to imagine vivid details as if your future was already here, and feel the glorious feelings of your dream come true. Think outside the bounds of what your rational mind believes is possible. Some people may say that you are out of your mind, but that can be a good thing! Don’t just follow your dreams, run towards them.

Laugh Laugh

Someone does something wildly funny and you laugh until tears run down your face. When you finally catch your breath you feel giddy and refreshed. With a smile you look around and realize that things are better than you thought, and your day ends up being great. Surround yourself with people who keep things light and fun because laughter is truly the best medicine.

Kassi’s Korner Kassi’s Korner

by Jennifer Marthers

Ah! Spring is here! The birds are singing, those crazy furry squirrels are running around teasing me knowing I can’t catch them, and the whole outside world is popping to life!

As you remember, I almost wasn’t here to see last spring! Yeah no kidding…! NO KIDDING AT ALL!! I got crushed under a 100ft+ pine tree that came crashingdownon me inthe ice storm on 1-16-22! Jennifer had put me outsideinmy pento potty and she ran in to potty herself. The tree fell and a long story began last year. But, I’m finally recovered and back to being my smart cutesy self. I’m running, playing and charming people—that’s what I dobest—charm people.

Jennifer and I have enjoyed the fall and winter as we usually do. I have been traveling some… yes I have… I looove to get in the car and travel in my crate. Been to the beach this fall several times! I LOoove the beach! I love to raise my little nose in the air with my fringy ears blowin in thewind and takea deep breath of the salty air!! It makes me want to take off running on the beach chasing birds. That’s my dream, but I’m on my 30ft line… Just being with Jennifer on the beach watchin’ a sunset is glorious! Sharing the moment… what more could a dogwant thantobewiththeirperson.

I rodewithTaude(Claude, Jennifer’s brother) on the first trip down as I mentioned in the Winter article. Taude is my hero… he got that stupid tree off me saving my life but… listening to cool Jimmy Buffett music is one thing and listening to Taude sing for 3hrs is another… I started to join with “howlin’in” but it was just too much…sorry Taude… I Luv ya though. Afterwards, I started traveling with Grandmama and Jennifer in the big car ‘cos Taude couldn’t always go on the same day. What a thrill torideinthe BIG car!

I rode in my crate on the back seat and listened to the girls talk. It was wonderful.Jennifertoldmebeach trip (I know the word “beach”) andIknewI was ona long trip. Whilethere, I played with our neighbors Jim and Terry. We actually had Thanksgiving at the beach with them. I ran on the beach on the long line and met loads of people. I did some tricks for them on the beach and just shared my love. Jennifer and I went to some doggie stores to look around. It’s fun to sniff ‘round in the toys and treats. We went to walk up town and I had fun greetin’ folks. I love to sit up on a bench with Jennifer and show off my pretty necklaces (collars) and my jewelry (tags)! Sometimes Jenniferand I wearthe samecolors she says! She makes me proud bein’ with her!! Just bein’ with her, smelling her, listening to her voice and laughter is heaven!!! At home, we often sit on the back porch with her rockin’ in the chair and me layin’ ‘round is heaven too. We have a huge fenced backyard with a wonderful screen back porch with ceiling fans… ah… the life… At night, I am in my play penwiththe family nearby when we go to sleepy time. Beach life is… Wonderful!!!

Wow, I hear Jim and Terry got a puppy for Christmas! Her name is Zoe Rae, an Irish Setter Doodle, whatever that is. Guess I’ll have a neighbor to romp with! Hope she’s not too big and rough. I’m getting on in age now you know. Horrors…

Taude mentioned he knows of a mountain cabin we might can rent. Hope I can tag along ‘cos I don’t like bein’ away from Jennifer, especially since my accident. I NEVER have in my 13 years, (except for medical reasons) spent time away from Jennifer. I don’t know what a mountain is but a trip sounds Great! I have some dog friends who have a place in the mountains. They say it is a nice place but it’s mainly all up hill. That might befun!

My health issues are stable thank goodness. I had a BIG Ultrasound done at Dr. Rosemary’s on 12-7-22 to check my adrenal cancer. A specialist doctor did the test. Thankfully Dr. Rosemary and Audrey, hertech, were there with me. I was scared… where Jennifer was… the test showed I have some issues going on so who knows what the future holds… My Cushing’s Disease and chronic UTI are under control with meds. I get stuck every so often to check my blood. I’m sorta gettin’ used to it now. I just glue my eyes on Jennifer and it’sover!

I romp ‘round every day in the big dog pen. Gettin’ my exercise and stayin’ fit. The specialist doctor and Dr. Rosemary say I’m in fantastic trim physical shape. Difficult to tell my age ‘cos I’m SO ACTIVE! Hey, exercise may be the key even for animals…

Thank you Dr. Rosemary for being the wonderful thoughtful veterinarian youare.

Thank You, Jenniferforadopting me!I am a very blessed littledogto havea special personlikeyou.

Thank you Taudefor gettingthat stupid treeoffme!I luvyou…

Thank you God for giving you God for these, and these, and these, these, and other, wonderful people in my life! other, wonderful people in my life! wonderful people in my life! wonderful people in my life!

Happy trails to ya…

~KassiVeda, CGC, CGCA, TKN, TKI, TKA