WHY SPAY & NEUTER?
Because approximately 700 soulful dogs and cats
are euthanized EACH WEEK in Los Angeles.
The City of Angels…
We are rescuers who frequent the six city shelters of Los Angeles. If you were to spend a day in our shoes and see dogs and cats being dragged to their death because the shelters are overcrowded and there is no loving home to claim them, you would never be the same! What always surprises us is that most citizen/animal lovers of Los Angeles really have no idea how bad it is. They are always shocked to hear the numbers. We live in a very sophisticated, wealthy city (heck we live in Hollywood!) and we know there has to be another way. We ask you to join our army of animal lovers and make our city a better place. NUMER ONE SOLUTION TO OUR PET OVER POPULATION: SPAY AND NEUTER your pet!
It is our mission to bring awareness to this city and make some real changes.
Whose fault is it? It is very easy for the rescue community and citizens to say, “It’s the city shelter’s fault! How can they kill all those animals each week?!”
We think this is unfair. The city shelters are cleaning up the mess of the citizens. There is a huge pet overpopulation in our city! The shelters are trying to deal with all the homeless animals coming in. Are there politics involved! YES! Do we need to get involved in those politics? YES! Are the answers easy? No! But one this is for sure. If you spay and neuter you are part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
If those aren’t reasons enough. Here are some medical reasons from our friends at VCA please visit their website at vcapets.com.
The Importance of Neutering/Spaying Your Pets:
Millions of pets are put to death in our animal shelters each year for lack of homes. That is why responsible pet owners make sure that their pets are not contributing to this serious over-population problem. Neutered/Spayed pets are actually healthier pets.
Reasons to Neuter Male Cats and Dogs:
CATS – Neutering tomcats will decrease roaming and fighting, which decreases exposure to infectious diseases as well as bit or scratch wounds form animals whose history is unknown. It will also decrease the likelihood of spraying (territorial marking by urination). A neutered male also keeps himself cleaner than a tomcat. Obviously, a neutered cat cannot father unwanted kittens.
DOGS – Neutering dogs will see to it that they do not sire unwanted litters. It will also decrease the desire to roam, reducing the risk of infectious disease. If the surgery is done before the pet reaches sexual maturity, certain undesirable sexual behavior traits may be avoided (mounting, humping, spraying, fighting etc.) Furthermore, neutering lessons the risk of anal tumors, prostrate diseases, and eliminates the possibility of testicular tumors
Developing.
Reasons to Spay Female Cats and Dogs:
CATS – Spaying your cat will ensure that she does not become pregnant. It also eliminates the chances of developing a uterine infection (pyometra). The desire roam will be diminished; reducing the risk of coming in contact with animals whose medical history is unknown. In addition, the risk of cystic ovaries, false pregnancies, hormonal disorders, and behavioral problems are greatly reduced.
DOGS – Spaying will eliminate the mess of a dog in heat and the attracting of males. Aside from making sure that she does not become pregnant, spaying should be done for the following medical reasons:
1. Early spaying will drastically reduce the chance of breast tumors, the most common cancer of the unsprayed female. If a dog is spayed before her first heat, it is almost guaranteed that she will not develop breast tumors. If a dog is spayed after 2 ½ years of age or is not spayed at all, she has a one out of four chance of having mammary tumors.
2. Spaying eliminates the future risk of developing a uterine infection (pyometra). These infections are extremely common in unsprayed dogs and can be life threatening.
3. The risk of cystic ovaries, false pregnancies, hormonal disorders, and behavioral problems are greatly reduced.
When to Neuter/Spay?
4-6 months is the optimum ages for neutering/spaying your pet, although pets can be safely operated on as early as 6 weeks of age.
What to expect?
Neutering – routine castration is considered minor surgery. Complete anesthesia is necessary but the risk for a young, healthy pet is minimal. Recover is usually rapid.
Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) – This is a major abdominal surgery involving the removal of both ovaries and the uterus. Complete anesthesia is necessary, but with new, modern anesthetics a healthy pet can be anesthetized for the 20-40 minutes operation with minimal risk. This surgery is best preformed prior to your pet’s first heat cycle. Complications after surgery are very rare.
Myths and Facts about Neutering and Spaying:
Provided By the Humane Society Of the United States:
MYTH: My pet will get fat and lazy.
FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don't give them enough exercise.
MYTH: It's better to have one litter first.
FACT: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures.
MYTH: My children should experience the miracle of birth.
FACT: Even if children are able to see a pet give birth—which is unlikely, since it usually occurs at night and in seclusion—the lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be explained to children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others.
MYTH: But my pet is a purebred.
FACT: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats—mixed breed and purebred.
MYTH: I want my dog to be protective.
FACT: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.
MYTH: I don't want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male.
FACT: Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.
MYTH: But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten) just like her.
FACT: A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can't guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet owner's chances are even slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of puppies or kittens might receive all of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics.
MYTH: It's too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered.
FACT: The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the pet, your veterinarian's fees, and a number of other variables. But whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost—a relatively small cost when compared to all the benefits. It's a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter; two months of pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add up to significant veterinary bills and food costs if complications develop. Most importantly, it's a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of the births of more unwanted pets.
MYTH: I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.
FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet's litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. Also, in less than one year's time, each of your pet's offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time.