Why to Spay and Neuter Your Pets

December 28, 2017

The importance of spaying and neutering your new pet.

**Before Reading, Please Play: ‘In the Arms of an Angel’ by Sarah McLachlan** Does this song ring a bell? If so, there is your number 1 reason why you should spay and neuter your pet.

What does it mean to spay and neuter?

Spaying and neutering is a common, sometimes even required, medical procedure done to reduce the risks of disease and cancer in your pet, prevent unplanned litters, and to allow your pet to live longer. Spaying is the surgical removal of the ovaries in female cats and dogs. Neutering is the male-specific term for removing reproductive organs in a cat or dog. Spaying and Neutering, believe it or not, also help the community in many ways. Billions of dollars each year are allocated for animal control to get the strays off the streets, only to eventually put 50% of these animals to sleep. Did you realize that much of your tax dollars were going towards animal euthanasia? Probably not.

When should I spay or neuter my new pet?

Kittens can be spayed and neutered as young as eight weeks, so it is common in many shelters for kittens up for adoption to already be spayed; that takes care of the costs associated with getting your cat fixed already! In some cases, puppies are ‘fixed’ at as young as eight weeks, but a general rule of thumb is between four and eight months.

Medical benefits of spaying and neutering my pet?

Spaying helps to prevent uterine infections and breast tumors. Spaying before her first heat will help to best protect from these diseases. For male pets, neutering prevents testicular cancer and other prostate problems. According to Project Pawsitivity, an organization helping to save lives through pet care, neutered canines can live 18%-24% longer, while spaying and neutering felines can help them live 39%-62% longer!

Behavioral benefits of spaying and neutering my pet?

Unplanned canine or feline pregnancies can create a dent in your pocket large enough to compare it to having a baby yourself.

While pets are domesticated, they still hold some animal instincts. Male dogs are less likely to stray from home after being neutered, as they aren’t looking for a mate. On the opposite end, females looking for a mate will find ways to attract mates, the most common involving pee all over the house.

Community benefits? These statistics will make you think twice:

Each year, 6-8 million dogs and cats are turned in or picked up by animal shelters. Of this, over 50% are euthanized simply because they do not have a home to go to.

That’s approximately 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats euthanized each year.
Taxpayers spend $1 billion dollars annually to pick up, house, and euthanize homeless animals.

Explore more in detail about the advantages of spaying and neutering pet.

A common myth: Getting a pet fixed is too expensive.

Spaying and neutering is one of the most affordable procedures for cats and dogs, much more affordable than caring for an entire litter. Many veterinarians and non-profit rescues offer virtually free spaying and neutering, as it is the recommended route to take with any new pet.

Chipman Road Animal Clinic offers affordable spaying and neutering and we also accept Care Credit which you can apply for in minutes.

Another common myth: But my dog is purebred.

Irresponsible breeding has become an underlying problem all over the world. While the breeder your pride and joy may have come from is ethical, there are more unethical breeders than ethical. When breeders end up with puppies that they cannot get rid of, it is common for them to end up on the streets, reproducing even more puppies. Luckily though, almost 25% of dogs in shelters, that’s one out of every four dogs, are purebred because of this. This means that if full-bred is what you’re looking for in a new furry family member, you’re in luck! Below is a list of neighboring organizations in the Midwest that specialize in specific breeds:

Where to Rescue a Golden Retriever: www.ragom.org

Where to Rescue a Husky: www.huskyrescue.org

Where to Rescue a Lab: www.mlrr.org

Where to Rescue a German Shepard: www.mogsrescue.rescuegroups.org

Where to Rescue a Bulldog: www.kcbulldogrescue.org

Where to Rescue a Beagle: www,gotbeagles.org/

Where to Rescue a Chihuahua: https://chihuahua.rescueme.org/missouri

Shelters, rescues, and animal activists across the world stress the importance of spay and neutering. This comes from the overpopulation of stray animals on the streets and in shelters.

Photo courtesy of https://www.animalleague.org/

If this photo hasn’t convinced you to spay or neuter your pet yet, then we don't know what will!
KC Pet Project, an animal rescue organization in Kansas City, has been working year after year to decrease the amount of euthanasia and increase successful adoptions. In 2006, 6,958 euthanasias were performed due to illness and/or behavioral issues stemmed from the previous owner or from being homeless. In 2014, they were down to only 650! Those numbers show great improvement for animal rescue and Kansas City. You can view the full statistics here!

Who knew pet homelessness was such a big deal?

Protect Your Pet & Others - Schedule Your Spay or Neuter Today

To schedule a spay or neuter for your furry friend, please call Chipman Road Animal Clinic at 816-524-1886. We are open from 8am-7pm on weekdays, making it convenient and easy to plan your visit!