In the USA, an estimated 8-10 million animals are taken in by animal shelters each year and an estimated 4-5 million animals are killed in shelters each year. In Acadiana, the number of animals killed per month in each animal control facility is between 400 to 700. This is a direct result of people not spaying or neutering their pets.
Wild Cat Foundation, like most humane organizations, is deeply passionate about spaying and neutering. First and foremost, because it is the only humane way to control pet overpopulation.
Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when one considers its benefits. It's a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time.
What Do "Spay" and "Neuter" Really Mean?
The term "alter" is used interchangeably with spay/neuter. Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their ovaries and uterus. Male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia.
What is a Pediatric or Juvenile Spay/Neuter?
Also known as early-age spay/neuter, these are surgeries performed on kittens and puppies. It is preferable to wait until the youngster is at least 6-8 weeks old. It is perfectly safe. Many veterinarians perform juvenile spay/neuter surgeries, if yours does not, please search for one who will. No vet should suggest to you that your pet should be at least 6 months old or have a litter prior to being altered.
What is about the cost?
It generally costs less to alter a smaller animal than a larger
one. If you have a Lab puppy weighing 5 pounds, it's signficantly
less expensive than waiting until it weighs 60 pounds.
If you live in Acadiana, visit SpayNation
for Dogs & Cats, our low cost spay/neuter clinic.
Click here for other options and
financial aid.
What are the reproductive cycles of dogs and cats?
The drive to mate is very strong and unaltered animals can become lost in their quest to fulfill this urge.
Female dogs experience a "heat" cycle approximately every six months, depending upon the breed. A female dog can have her first heat cycle between 6-9 months of age. She is especIally vulnerable if kept outdoors. She will be inclined to search for a mate or unaltered male dogs will congregate on your property to mate with her. Owners have been known to relinquish unaltered female dogs for this reason. She can have 2 litters per year, consisting of 1 to 8 pups (sometimes up to 12).
Female cats have been known to come into heat as young as 4 months. They will come into heat every two weeks during breeding season until they become pregnant. A female cat in heat will wander off looking for male companionship if left outdoors. She will attract many male suitors, and they will fight for her. If an intact indoor kitty, she will work hard to escape outside, especially if she senses a male is present. It is possible for her to have 4 litters per year, with an average of 4 kittens per litter.
Male dogs 6 months - male cas: 4 months
Male dogs and cats are capable of breeding at a surprisingly young age: 6 months old for dogs and 4 months old for cats. Both male dogs and cats are likely to begin "marking" their territories by spraying strong smelling urine on your furniture, curtains, and in virtually any part of the house and outdoors. This attracts other unaltered males. Also, given the slightest chance, males may attempt to escape from home in search of a mate. Dogs and cats are able to scent a female in heat as far as 20 miles away. Dogs seeking a female in heat can become aggressive and may injure themselves and people by engaging in fights.
What at the benefits of spaying/neutering?
Is the expense for the surgery really worth it?
Yes! This one-time expense can dramatically improve your pet's quality of life. If you are still uncertain whether or not to proceed with the surgery, consider the expense to society of collecting and caring for all the unwanted, abused, or abandoned animals being housed in shelters — most with little chance of finding permanent homes.
If you live in Acadiana, visit SpayNation for Dogs & Cats, our low cost spay/neuter clinic.
And if you decide that the cost of surgery is too high...
... this is what your yard could look like:
