| SPAY NEUTER YOUR PET WHY? |
| There are not enough homes for all the kittens & puppies being born.
Only one kitten in five will keep a permanent loving home, and for each kitten or puppy that does find a home, an adult cat or dog will be euthanized. Over 10 million cats, dogs, puppies & kittens are turned in to animal shelters across the country each year. Sadly, the majority of these have to be euthanized because there aren't enough homes. Every day thousands of healthy puppies & kittens have to be destroyed, including pure breeds, because people allow their pets to have " just one litter." And these are the "lucky ones." Countless others suffer & die painful deaths on the streets, in alleys, in the wild, or as a result of people's cruelty as they are virtually without protection. Unwanted litters are dumped on doorsteps, along roadsides, in garbage cans, in lakes, etc. etc. Forgotten Felines can help and find homes for only a very small percentage of these unfortunate homeless animals. Therefore, the overpopulation problem can only be solved by you. the responsible pet owner. By reducing pet overpopulation, a higher value is placed on cats and dogs. Not considered as "disposables" any longer greatly increases their chances of finding permanent loving homes where they will be well cared for. Why you should spay your female cat or dog: Female cats and dogs should be spayed at 5 months or earlier and before their first heat. It is a myth that a female cat or dog needs to experience one litter. One litter is one litter too many. There simply are not enough homes for the offspring. Spayed cats and dogs live longer, healthier lives. Spaying female cats & dogs eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer & greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before the first estrus cycle. No heat cycles. Estrus lasts an average of 6-12 days, twice per year in dogs & from early spring to late fall every 2 weeks in cats. Females in heat cry incessantly, show nervous behavior and attract unwanted male animals with resultant mating & fighting on your doorstep and at the risk of you or your family getting bitten. Eliminates stains on your furniture and carpets etc. from the estrus cycle. Less risk of marking or spraying - yes ! - many unspayed females cats can & do spray ! Unspayed female dogs also mark territory. More affectionate and less desire to roam therefore making better companions. Less likely to bite. Have less behavior and temperment problems especially when spayed early. More docile and easier to train. No risk of female cat contracting the deadly feline leukemia virus or feline aids through the mating ritual. Kittens from an unspayed female who has contracted feline leukemia will die. Why you should neuter your male cat or dog : Male cats and dogs should be neutered at 5 months or earlier before they begin to spray or mark territory -- it is easier to prevent this problem than it is to correct it after it is already in place. Neutered cats and dogs are healthier and live longer lives. Neutered cats and dogs are more affectionate and have less desire to roam, run away, or get into fights therefore making better companions. Risk of testicular cancer is eliminated. Neutering male dogs reduces the incidence of prostrate cancer & prostate disorders. Neutered pets are less likely to bite and have less behavior or temperament problems, especially when neutered early. They are more docile and easier to train. Neutering prevents male dogs from trying to exert dominance over family members or "humping" you , your family or guests legs which can be very embarrassing at times. Eliminates risk of your or your family getting bitten or injured when unneutered males are fighting over unspayed female cats or dogs in heat. No male cats fighting over females in heat and thereby transmitting the feline aids or feline leukemia virus. SO PLEASE HAVE YOUR OWN PET ALTERED AND URGE YOUR NEIGHBORS TO DO SO ALSO. If your own pet is altered, Please SPAY YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD STRAY OR DONATE MONEY TO HAVE ONE SPAYED OR NEUTERED. |