How would you feel if you had no home, been abandoned by your owners or stuck in a shelter? How would you feel wandering city streets with little, or no food? This is how millions of animals feel every day. Over population has gotten to be a big problem in the US. For every human born there are 15 dogs and 45 cats also born, and with numbers like that it is no surprise how many stray or homeless animals there are. Shelters have become very over populated and about 10 million dogs and cats will be euthanized in shelters this year, because there is no one who was able to give them the kind loving home they deserved. There are many sterilization programs nationwide whose goals are to make the services available to those who may not have the money to spay/neuter their pets. SPAY USA has over 950 programs in the US with approximately 8,000 top-notch veterinarians scattered mainly around the eastern coast, but in many other parts of the country as well.
Spaying and neutering also has many health benefits as well; they have a much lower risk of getting Feline AIDS, because they are much less likely to engage in fighting which spreads the disease. Male dogs are also less likely to develop prostate cancer and the risk of testicular cancer is completely eliminated. Spaying also eliminates the "heat" cycle, which causes crying, pacing, and erratic behavior, especially in cats. Dogs in heat also produce a bloody vaginal discharge that can stain furniture and carpets. Cats and dogs in heat can attract persistent and often obnoxiously loud "suitors" from all over the neighborhood, even if they're kept indoors.
People often worry that spaying/neutering their dog or cat will cause obesity. It's true that spaying and neutering does change an animal's metabolism, they will require fewer calories than one that isn't. Some experts recommend cutting the amount you feed by 1/4 to 1/3 for 4 to 6 weeks post-operatively. By doing this, chances are good that they will be able to self-regulate at that weight the rest of their life. Also just like people pets need exercise to maintain an ideal weight.
So now what do you think of spaying/neutering? Will you be the cause of this problem, or will you be the solution?
