Spaying and neutering pets saves lives
Rachael Adil
Issue date: 11/9/09 Section: Perspectives
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Every year, an estimated 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in the U.S. Many factors contribute to this statistic, but the primary one is there are more animals than there are homes for them.
Suaze Forsythe, communications coordinator at Animal Friends, said a big responsibility lies with pet owners, who can do something to drastically lower the euthanasia rate-spaying or neutering their pets.
"Spaying or neutering an animal stops reproduction, so there's no chance to add to the population of homeless animals," Forsythe told the Voice.
Spaying involves removing the ovaries and uterus of female pets, while neutering removes the testicles of male pets. In both types of surgery, pets are placed under general anesthesia, and the procedure is performed by qualified veterinarians using sterile, surgical techniques.
The ultimate benefit is the animal cannot reproduce, cutting down the number of unwanted, homeless animals. There are additional benefits to spaying and neutering pets. In dogs, the animal is less aggressive, has less odor and, for females, no menstrual cycle and less chance of breast cancer.
Cats are less likely to roam, less likely to get into fights with wild animals or unvaccinated cats, which reduces chances for spread of diseases, have less odor and urinary tract infections and, for females, the same benefits as with dogs- no menstrual cycle and less chance of breast cancer.
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that kittens and puppies be spayed or neutered around the average age of four months old. Pet owners should follow the guidelines provided by their veterinarians.
All animals at Animal Friends are spayed or neutered before going home with their "forever family," which is also the policy at their sister facility, the Humane Society.
Animal Friends and the Humane Society have spay and neuter programs for animals in Pittsburgh that are designed to help people who can't afford the full price of the surgery. The amount of discount is determined by the family's total income.
"People would benefit from places such as Animal Friends or the Humane Society because that would mean fewer animals were being born and brought to a shelter," said Forsythe.
In an effort to have more pets in Pittsburgh spayed or neutered, Animal Friends has held "mobile clinics," where people can bring their pets to get the procedure. Forsythe said the clinics are conducted several times per year in various locations around Pittsburgh.
"Animal Friends has reached its goal of over 6,000 spay and neuter surgeries so far this year and are striving to reach 8,000 by the end of December," Forsythe said.