|
|
|
Pet Overpopulation and the Importance of Spay/Neuter Overpopulation and Spay/Neuter Overpopulation and Animal Cloning Overpopulation and Spay/Neuter Back to Top One of the primary problems facing dogs and cats is their ability to reproduce an exponential number of offspring. Domesticated dogs and cats have long since been removed from the wild environments that once naturally limited their populations; and as a result, more animals from each litter survive and go on to reproduce as adults. This modern-day imbalance allows for high reproduction rates among dogs and cats that contribute to a population of some 30 million puppies and kittens born in the
The message is unequivocally clear: We need to stop the pet overpopulation crisis that results in the senseless killing of millions of companion animals—become a part of the humane solution by spaying/neutering your pets. Benefits of Spay/Neuter For the Animals Back to Top Spaying/neutering companion animals often eliminates undesirable behaviors, such as fighting, spraying, and roaming. These typical behaviors that land otherwise friendly, sociable creatures in animal shelters generally will diminish with a spay/neuter surgery and allow for a calmer, more content pet. The positive benefits of spay/neuter surgeries make it easy to see why sterilized pets have a higher success rate of staying in the home. Of course, surgery alone is not enough to ensure a permanent home or acceptable pet behavior—dogs and cats need positive training and socialization on a regular basis as well as a stable, loving environment. Sterilizing dogs and cats is also beneficial to their health. When performed under anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian, spay/neuter surgeries are simple, safe, and painless. A companion animal who is sterilized is likely to be spared:
For the Community Back to Top The short-term financial investments made into aggressive community spay/neuter efforts for both domestic cats and dogs as well as feral cats are often large; however, the long-term benefits far out weight these initial costs. Thousands of lives are spared and potentially millions in tax-payer dollars can be better spent on rescue and adoption efforts rather than ineffective and inhumane capture and kill methods of “managing” pet overpopulation. Of course, no dollar amount can ever be put on the value of sparing millions of unborn kittens and puppies from a life of pain and suffering. Ultimately, spaying/neutering pets is one of the most effective, humane methods of reducing companion animal suffering and responsibly managing community resources. Early-Age Spay/Neuter Back to Top Early-age spay/neuter is being performed more and more frequently. Research has shown that it is safe to spay/neuter kittens and puppies at a much younger age than veterinarians once thought. Many veterinarians are now safely and routinely performing spay/neuter surgeries on kittens and puppies at eight weeks of age. The low body fat makes these surgeries easier to accomplish, and puppies and kittens tolerate the procedures very well and recover more quickly than do older animals. Some veterinarians use the two-pound guideline: as long as a puppy or kitten is healthy and weighs at least two pounds, the animal may be spayed/neutered safely. Many animals adopted from shelters are young. Studies have shown that if these animals are not spayed/neutered before going into their new homes, many will never have the surgery, and these animals then produce more unwanted pets. When spaying/neutering surgeries are performed early, the chance for unwanted litters is eliminated. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has adopted a resolution that endorses the concept of early-age spay/neuter to stem the overpopulation of cats and dogs. The sponsors of the resolution are convinced that the early-age approach will reduce euthanasia of unwanted pets by preventing unwanted litters and by making shelter policies of spay/neuter before adoption more effective. The resolution states, “Resolved, that AVMA supports the concept of early (8-16 weeks of age) ovariohysterectomies/gonadectomies in dogs and cats, in an effort to stem the overpopulation in these species.” Some adjustment of technique is needed on the part of veterinarians when operating on puppies and kittens, but research shows that performing surgery on a very young animal is no more difficult and may be easier because of less body fat than on older animals. During these surgeries, young animals need to be carefully monitored just as older animals do when it comes to anesthesia. Pediatric concerns for kittens and puppies include: hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and stress. There really is little scientific information to back up the current standard age of six to eight months for spaying/neutering. This figure seems to have been chosen quite arbitrarily and followed down through the years without question. Myths and Misconceptions Back to Top There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding spaying/neutering companion animals. Here are just a few: “The surgery costs too much.” While it is true that spay/neuter surgeries can be a financial challenge, with a little planning, it can be done. If you already have an unaltered animal, check your local animal rescues and shelters for low-cost spay/neuter surgery programs or other forms of financial assistance, such as vouchers, to help offset costs. If you do not yet have an animal, consider letting the shelter do the work—adopt a cat or dog who has already had the surgery. “I thought animals have to be at least six months old.” According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, puppies and kittens can be safely spayed/neutered between eight and 16 weeks assuming there are no medical issues preventing surgery and as long as the animal weighs two pounds or more. “My pet will get fat.” Many cats and dogs are spayed/neutered at an age when they are naturally gaining weight as they grow into adulthood. Furthermore, there is little scientific evidence that these surgeries cause weight gain; proper balance of diet and exercise will ensure pets stay within a healthy weight range. “Puppies and kittens are cute—we can find enough homes for them all.” Plain and simple, this belief is not true. In reality, a lack of homes forces pet owners to relinquish thousands of “easily placed” puppies and kittens to animal shelters each year. Countless more are thoughtlessly given away to questionable new owners or are simply abandoned. “I don’t have to neuter my dog—it’s the females who need surgery.” As the line goes, it takes two to tango. Being a responsible companion animal owner means all animals—male and female—should be surgically altered so that neither is able to reproduce. “Females should have a first litter.” There is no known scientific reason to support this myth. Females do not become better animals or are more “fulfilled” because they have had a litter. On the contrary, the cycle of reproduction may simply cause unnecessary stress and the potential for complications in pregnancy and birth. “They have a right to reproduce.” Perhaps, but the animals and their offspring also have the right to a life free of unnecessary pain and death. We must ask ourselves, which is more important—allowing an animal the right to contribute to a devastating problem or allowing them the right to freedom from suffering? “We shouldn’t interfere with creation.” We have already interfered by domesticating these animals. We now have a responsibility to care for them by not further exacerbating the problem. Overpopulation and Animal Cloning Back to Top Another form of companion animal reproduction on the rise is pet cloning. This highly unethical science manipulates nature and causes great suffering for both the surrogate animals and their innocent clones. Pet cloning, an especially repugnant and misleading commercial “service,” will not bring back a particularly beloved companion animal. It will, however, bring to life more unwanted offspring at a time when millions of cats and dogs die in our nation’s shelters or are abandoned to the outdoors. Solutions Back to Top Comprehensive responses to companion animal overpopulation will target a reduction in births and an increase in adoptions.
Euthanasia is not an acceptable method of controlling the cat and dog overpopulation. Take Action to Control the Number of Unwanted Puppies and Kittens What can you do to control the number of unwanted puppies and kittens in your community? First, make sure all of your companion animals are spayed/neutered. Do not be part of the problem; be part of the solution. Other humane actions include:
July 2009 Back to Top |