Spaying female pets and neutering male pets is the most reliable way to prevent the births of companion animals that continue to add the the problem of pet overpopulation. World Spay Day reminds us that this is not a local problem but a global one. And every pet owner can help to do something about it!
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The definition of a hero is usually someone who saves lives. Put another way, it could be someone who prevents deaths. In the animal welfare world, that translates to having your pet spayed or neutered.
Every year about three million cats and dogs are euthanized by animal shelters because there are just too many pets and not enough homes. That’s one animal every ten seconds! It’s been said that our pets may not be able to read or write, but they sure can multiply. In just the time it takes to listen to this radio spot, a dozen animals will lose their lives for lack of homes and owners to care for them.
The problem of too many pets can be understood when you look at the numbers. Theoretically, one unneutered male dog and one unspayed female dog – and all their offspring – can total 67,000 animals in just 6 years. In that same time period, a male and female cat and their offspring can number over two hundred thousand. So spaying just one female dog or cat can mean tens of thousands of animal lives that will not have to end in premature death for lack of homes.
This week is a good time to have that done because this coming Tuesday is the World Spay Day, an international campaign to encourage all of us to have our pets spayed and neutered.
Over one-half of all pet owners in this country believe that the problem of pet overpopulation is the most important pet issue. Yet, the main reason given for not having pets spayed or neutered is that the owners just haven’t taken the time to do it.
This year become a part of the solution - take personal responsibility for preventing the births of surplus litters by spaying or neutering at least one companion animal. Don’t put off having your dog or cat spayed or neutered. Call your veterinarian and make an appointment for next Tuesday, February 25th, World Spay Day. You could help prevent the births - and deaths - of thousands of unwanted animals in just one day. In my book, that makes you a hero, when you’re speaking of pets.
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