Save a Life: Spay & Neuter

During my recent trip to the vet with Cooper, I saw several other dogs and pet parents in the waiting room.  It saddened me to see dogs that were not spayed or neutered. 

I try not to judge owners with a female that has obviously been bred.  Several people adopt females that have been saved from puppy mills or that have been turned into shelters after years of backyard breeding.  I understand that these people are responsible adopters that do not condone breeding.  The fact still remains, however, that either the current or previous owner was not responsible.

There are so many reasons to spay or neuter your pet.  The most wonderful reason:  You will help put an end to overpopulation!  Here are a couple of heartbreaking statistics from "The Adopted Dog Bible":

• There are about 34,000 puppies born in the United States every day!
• There are millions of dogs put to sleep each year in our shelters.

Let's do a little math.  34,000 x 365 = 12,410,000.  Over 12 million puppies are born each year in the United States.  Imagine if this number was controlled through spaying and neutering.  There would be so many fewer deaths due to overpopulation.

Here is another wonderful (& beneficial!) reason to spay and neuter.  There are several health benefits.  Research shows that altered dogs live longer and healthier lives than dogs that are not spayed or neutered.  Spayed females are much less likely to get mammary cancer.  Testicular cancer can also be prevented by neutering.

There are also behavioral benefits to altering your dog.  Males are less likely to roam in search of a mate. (And less likely to get lost!)  Altered males can also be less aggressive.

Spaying and neutering is a marvelous thing!  Here is a link to find low-cost spay and neuter programs in your area from the ASPCA website.

As always, please consider adopting your next best friend from your local shelter or rescue group.  You will be saving a life as well as enriching your own!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Laura



Reference

"The Adopted Dog Bible" By Kim Saunders
Published in 2008