Spaying and neutering saves lives. With fewer puppies and kittens being born and crowding the shelters, a homeless pet will have a better opportunity to find a new home and a caring owner!
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The Humane Society of the United States estimates that every year in this country animal shelters are forced to euthanize more than three million pet animals because there are too many of them and not enough homes. The majority of those would make wonderful pets and companions, if they only had a chance.
So, three million a year – that’s one animal every ten seconds. During the time it takes to listen to this broadcast, a dozen animals will lose their lives for lack of homes and owners to love and care for them. The answer, the only answer, is to prevent the births of those millions of animals who have no chance to be a real pet.
That’s where the idea of spaying and neutering comes in. It is the 100% guaranteed way to make sure a pet does not produce unwanted litters of baby animals that add to the pet overpopulation problem.
This coming Tuesday is the 24th Annual World Spay Day, a campaign of the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. It’s a day to encourage all of us to make sure our own pets are spayed or neutered as well a reminder of the benefits for us and our furry friends. For example, animals who are spayed or neutered tend to live longer, be healthier and behave better than their unaltered counterparts.
A study of pet owners by the HSUS several years ago yielded a few surprises. Most owners were already interested in spaying and neutering of pets, but felt that it either cost too much or they weren’t sure where to go to get it done or, in some cases, they just hadn’t gotten around to it. Others felt it wasn’t necessary because their animals did not run loose, or they were too young or too old.
There’s a saying about unaltered pets: “They can’t read or write, but they sure can multiply.” You can help change that by calling your veterinarian and making an appointment to have your cat or dog spayed or neutered.
Remember, animal welfare starts at home, with you, by taking good care of your best friend and having it neutered or spayed, when you’re speaking of pets.
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