Benefits of Spaying and Neutering
Overpopulation is an enormous problem, locally and countrywide. Spaying and neutering your pets is the number one way to do your part in decreasing the number of homeless pets. Currently, there are about 2.7 million healthy, adoptable cats and dogs. And about every 11 seconds—one is put down in U.S. shelters each year. Additionally, communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals and irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
At the local level, there are an estimated 200,000 plus feral or undomesticated cats in Clark County and the number of cats of dogs euthanized in 2013 will be approximately 22,000.
In addition to solving the over population problem, there are additional benefits for you and your pets:
Good for your pet:
- Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
- Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
- Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrus cycle.
- Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Good for you:
- Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
- Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
- Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle.
- In dogs, estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days—often twice a year—and in cats, an average of six to seven days three or more times a year.
- Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
- Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
- Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
- Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
