SPAY / NEUTER
FACTS
A NATIONAL CRISIS.
There are an estimated 70 million stray dogs and cats in the U.S. alone, of which approximately 8 million end up in shelters annually. With shelters at maximum capacity, sadly 70% of those animals will be euthanized...to make space for more animals to be euthanized...and the cycle continues.
THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO TO HELP COMBAT THE PET OVERPOPULATION PROBLEM IS TO HAVE YOUR DOG SPAYED / NEUTERED.
Why? Because pet homelessness and overpopulation are 100% preventable! If these statistics alone don't have you convinced, here are some additional reasons to consider:
ETHICAL.
Simply put, it's the right thing to do! Sterilization prevents unwanted litters from being born, which in turn prevents undue harm and suffering on animals living in a world where there are not enough homes to go around.
HEALTH.
Studies have shown that animals who have been spayed / neutered lead longer, happier, healthier lives. The procedure provides protection against serious diseases such as (but not limited to):
FEMALES:
-
uterine infections
-
uterine cancer
-
breast cancer
MALES:
-
testicular cancer
-
enlarged prostate glands
Fixing your pet can also reduce a number of behavioral issues, which often land animals in the shelter such as roaming, spraying, barking, mounting, and aggressiveness to name a few.
Additionally, an influx of stray animals can lead to an increase in communicable diseases, wreaking havoc on the health and safety of pets and people within a community.
FINANCIAL.
Spay / Neuter procedures are relatively low-cost, and certainly less expensive than the cost of having to care for a litter. It is also a better solution to bearing the heavy economic burden associated with problems caused by not sterilizing pets, such as:
-
rounding up stray animals
-
housing and feeding animals in shelters
-
euthanizing animals who do not find homes (within the impossible timeframes given by shelters)
Sources:
www.peta.org | www.aspca.org | www.pawworks.org | www.avma.org
DEDICATED TO:
Our CCHDR alumni mothers who will never have to have another litter again...and neither will their puppies! Pictured below are only a small handful of the mothers (and their pups) we've had in recent years. Click on an image to read their stories and see more photos.
