|
FAQ About Spay and Neuter
A female pet is spayed; a male pet is neutered. Both are surgical procedures, performed by a licensed veterinarian while the animal is under anesthesia. This prevents reproduction by the pet, but also reduces the risk of certain types of disease, such as prostate, testicular and mammary cancers and uterine infections. It also eliminates the mating drive, making pets more relaxed as companions to their humans. It helps to prevent unwanted behaviors such as urine marking territories, roaming, fighting, mounting and howling.
There may be changes, but only positive ones! Dogs often become less aggressive when the strong mating drive is no longer present. There are less roaming, less howling and less urine marking in both cats and dogs. After they are altered, there is more focus on their human bonds, and pets often become more social and loving with their people keepers, which still makes them loyal and protective friends.
Most veterinarians recommend alteration prior to the pet’s sexual maturity, between 5-7 months. A pet can, however, be altered at any age, with special consideration for any general health issues taken into account. The earlier a pet is altered, the less risk of disease later in life, and the easier and quicker he or she can recover from the surgery. Having a litter is NOT necessary for your pet’s good health; this is a myth. Confinement of an unaltered pet is more difficult, as the mating drive is much stronger than even some fences and doors! So the earlier the better for both your pet and you. Many unwanted litters are the result of procrastinating.
For each puppy and kitten born each year in the U.S., each person would have to own 9 dogs and 7 cats to keep any pets from being homeless--meaning a household of 4 would have to own 36 dogs and 28 cats! Your dog can produce 2 litters a year, and your cat 3-4 litters a year, of 2-10 or more puppies and kittens. Relatives, friends and coworkers can only take so many, and the rest of these animals may eventually end up at shelters. And for every home you find, a homeless animal at a shelter or rescue group loses that potential adoption. If you advertise to strangers, you cannot be sure of the circumstances you are sending the puppy or kitten into; many pets end up being used as bait in dog fighting or sold to research facilities. This is why you should never advertise pets as “FREE.”
Spaying and neutering and veterinary care should be factored into your pet’s necessities, just like food, shelter, bedding, toys and litter. Costs vary from one veterinary practice to another, with much of the cost depending on the species, sex, size and age of the pet.
Animal Friends’ program offers low- and reduced-cost routine spay/neuter surgeries. The surgery is usually much less expensive than raising a litter of puppies or kittens until they can be placed, and definitely reduces future health care costs for your unaltered pets.
|
|
Apply for Assistance Now
Click here to learn more about our Low Cost Spay and Neuter program.
You Can Help us Help Pets!
Help support this vital program by donating your old cell phones and printer cartridges. For each used cartridge or cell phone you bring to Animal Friends, our Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program receives cash back to subsidize spay/neuter surgeries for pets. Consider starting a cartridge drive at your workplace by spreading the word to co-workers and friends! Items may be dropped off at Animal Friends at 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
Contact our Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Program
1.800.SPAY.PGH
spayneuter@animal-friends.org
|
