It’s Hip to Snip!

One of the largest issues we face is keeping the animal population down to prevent euthanizing healthy, adoptable animals. According to the Human Society of the United States, “there are an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year.” This leads to overcrowded animal shelters, which means many animals are euthanized since there is not enough space and resources to keep all of the animals in the shelters.

Spaying and neutering animals helps keep the animal population down, meaning less homeless animals in shelters. But not only does spaying and neutering your animal help prevent overcrowding, it can help your pet’s health as well.

The organization Best Friends state, “Spaying or neutering can help your pet live a longer, healthier life. Spaying females eliminates the risk of ovarian or uterine infections and cancer, and may reduce the incidence of mammary cancer. In males, neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.” Spaying and neutering can also help with unwanted behaviors, such as marking issues, howling, and the urge to roam.

There are some worries and myths concerning spaying and neutering animals. To ease those concerns, the Humane Society of the United States say that even though spaying and neutering your animal can help changed behaviors like the ones previously listed, their fundamental personality will not change, like their protective instinct. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also state that getting your pet spayed or neuter will not fix all of their unwanted behaviors, but will help. They also state that the myth that spaying or neutering your pet will make them overweight is not true. To keep your pet from becoming overweight, you should review their food as well as their exercising habits.

Overcrowding is a serious issue and we encourage everyone to talk to their veterinarian and consider spaying and neutering their pets. It will help decrease the amount of healthy dogs and cats being euthanized as well as make animals healthier for doing it. Visit your veterinarian to discuss spaying and neutering and/or alternative methods such as ovary-sparing spays or vasectomy.

References

http://m.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/why_spay_neuter.html

https://utah.bestfriends.org/our-programs/spay-and-neuter

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/spayneuter-your-pet

https://www.parsemusfoundation.org/projects/ovary-­‐