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http://www.humanesocietyall.com/spayneuter/First, let's look at the numbers. While estimates vary slightly, no matter how you look at it, pet overpopulation is nothing short of a crisis situation. Every year, between six to eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. animal shelters; devastating estimates of between four to five million of these animals are euthanized because there are simply not enough homes. The animals killed in our shelters each day include kittens and puppies that never had a chance, adults, seniors, purebreds, owner drop-offs and strays alike. Many shelters are so full that any animal that is an owner surrender is immediately "put to sleep". The number of animals killed each year in shelters does not include animals that die on our streets and in our neighborhoods due to abandonment, injury, starvation, or neglect. Spaying and neutering is a simple and proven humane solution to reducing pet populations.
Statistics:
(Estimates)
Each day, about 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the United States. As compared to approximately 10,000 humans born each day, with birth rates this high, there will never be enough homes for these animals.
70,000/day
The estimated number of feral (homeless/wild) cats in the United States:
60 – 100 million
Theoretically, the number of cats that can be produced by a female cat and her offspring in 7 years time:
420,000 in 7 yrs
Theoretically, the number of dogs that can be produced by a female dog and her offspring in 6 years time:
67,000 in 6 yrs
Current number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million
HSUS estimate
Current number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: Despite these horrific numbers, there is hope. In 1973, approximately 13 million animals were euthanized by shelters, before the onset of public awareness and spay/neuter programs. 4-5 million
HSUS estimate
Percentage of all dogs entering shelters that are killed: 61%
Percentage of all cats entering shelters that are killed: 75%
Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred: 25%
HSUS estimate
The cost imposed on U.S. taxpayers each year to impound, shelter, euthanize, and dispose of homeless animals. $2 billion
USA Today estimate
Dispelling The Myths of Spay/Neuter
Numbers aside, spaying and neutering are simple surgical procedures and are very beneficial to the welfare of your pet. How many times have you heard "but I want her to have just one litter" ?
While is is sometimes hard to comprehend, “just one litter” does cause pet overpopulation. In less than a year, all of the little ones in your pet’s litter could be having litters of their own. Every day, thousands of perfectly healthy puppies and kittens must be euthanized and each one of those thousands came from “just one litter.”
There is no benefit to allowing your pet to have just one litter, or more. This way of thinking is completely unfounded. Medical evidence suggests just the opposite.
Spaying your pet before her first heat greatly reduces the chance of her developing many forms of cancer. Neutering a male will not only reduce his urge to travel searching for a mate but will reduce the chances of him marking his territory by spraying.
We would like to dispel the common myths and educate you on the facts of spaying and neutering (HSUS).
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.
