- Health—Spayed and neutered pets live 30 percent longer than intact animals. Sterilization reduces, or can eliminate, a number of health problems that are difficult and/or expensive to treat, such as mammary, uterine, ovarian, prostate, and testicular cancers. Female dogs have a 700 percent increase in breast cancer rates after only five heats. Male dogs not neutered have a 25-30 percent chance of getting prostate or testicular cancer.
- Behavioral Issues—Spaying and neutering makes your dog a better, more affectionate companion who is less apt to stray, mark territory, and attempt to wander the neighborhood. Dogs that are unsterilized often have more behavior and temperament problems (such as aggression, territorialism, and predatory instincts) than dogs who have been spayed or neutered. Irresponsible breeding is often the source of dog aggression, attacking, and biting. Note that, contrary to some popular beliefs, altering does not make dogs lazy. Altered dogs are as playful and energetic as intact dogs.
- Overpopulation—Animal shelters around the country are overburdened with surplus dogs and cats. And your litters could become shelter animals. Spaying and neutering can reduce the vicious cycle of overpopulation. The facts are startling and devastating. Some 70,000 puppies and kittens are born every day in the U.S. Between four million and six million shelter animals are euthanized every year. That means between 11,000 and 16,000 pets are euthanized every day simply because they are homeless. An animal in a shelter is killed every 1.5 seconds. Only one animal in 10 born in the U.S. gets a good home that lasts a lifetime.
- Responsibility—When you bring an animal companion into your life, you are responsible for its welfare, future, and actions. By spaying and neutering, you give back to your animal companion, your community, and society at large. Ultimately, you’ll teach your children to become responsible for their animal companions later in life. People think erroneously that it’s a good thing for our children to see the miracle of birth. Bringing more puppies into a world already overburdened with thousands of homeless dogs is not the best way to show your children the birth process. You can show them videos or even let them witness live human births on the Internet.
- Saving Future Lives—Making the decision to spay or neuter your pet means that fewer pets—pets as sweet, loving, healthy, and deserving of companionship as your own—will be euthanized for lack of a home. Be the change you want to see in the world and make a difference!
5 compelling reasons for spaying or neutering! Being part of the solution, not part of the problem.
