February is recognized by national animal welfare organizations as “Spay/Neuter Awareness Month.” as an encouragement for people to have their pets sterilized before the spring and summer months when there is a rampant overproduction of puppies. Each day there are l0,000 humans born in the United States, and each day there are more than 60,000 puppies and kittens born, resulting in millions of dogs without homes.

Spaying and neutering helps decrease those numbers, and in addition to saving lives, spaying and neutering can also drastically improve your dog’s health and life expectancy. This procedure is good for you, good for your dog, and good for your community.

It is good for you because spayed and neutered pets are better, more affectionate, companions. Documentation proves that spayed and neutered dogs are less likely to bite or exhibit temperament problems.

It is good for your pet because sterilized dogs live longer, healthier lives. The idea that pets become fat or lazy when they are altered is a myth….dogs become fat or lazy when they eat too much or exercise too little. . Spaying a female eliminates the possibility of ovarian and uterine cancer and greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer. It also helps prevent various reproductive tract disorders. Neutering male dogs reduces the incidence of prostate cancer, and makes them less likely to roam, run away, and fight.

Spaying and neutering benefits your community because a great deal of money is spent to control unwanted animals. Animal shelters are overwhelmed with pets that, in many cases are the result of accidental or poorly planned breeding, and unfortunately many of these animals will never find homes.

We need to educate people concerning the common myths associated with spaying and neutering.

• Fixing my pet will change his personality: NO. His personality is shaped by the kindness and treatment he receives.
• My dog never gets loose: NEVER?? Accidents happen. It only takes one time for another unwanted litter to be conceived.
• My pet is so unique. There should be more like her: NO! Shelters are full of unique, yet unwanted dogs.
• I want my children to witness the miracle of birth: NO! The kids probably won’t be around at the time anyway. Rent an educational video instead.
• I always find homes for my dog’s litters: just because you find homes for yours, doesn’t alter the fact there are too many dogs without homes. Every puppy for which you find a home, means that some other dog will go without a home.
• I was told that a dog should have one litter for health reasons: this has been totally medically disproved. Studies indicate that many of the pet overpopulation are the result of the “just one litter” excuse.
• I don’t want my male dog to feel like less of a male: Pets do not have any concept of sexual ego. Neutering will not cause him to suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis.

SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET

BECAUSE you love your dog…alter him for his heath’s sake

BECAUSE millions of dogs are euthanized every year for lack of loving homes.

BECAUSE It’s the right thing to do. By spaying and neutering your own dog, you are providing an example to others, encouraging them to do the right thing too.