Nothing is cuter than a puppy or kitten, right? Wrong. That baby animal
represents just one more pet which will not find a home and eventually have to
be destroyed. The US,
like many other countries, suffers from an overpopulation of companion pets.
We as pet owners need to get over our desire to see our favorite dog have
cute little puppies. Those prolific little balls of fuzz become unwanted
animals, a huge concern.
The Trouble with
Strays
There are literally millions of stray cats and dogs roaming the United
States. More than likely that animal was
once someone’s pet. So many unwanted pets result when people buy or adopt an
animal without first considering the responsibility. Perhaps they no longer
wish to spend money on pet food, or simply drop off their loyal friend in the
woods when they realize how much it costs to board an animal for a week of
summer vacation.
Stray animals are a nuisance; soiling neighborhoods, frightening people, and
even causing car accidents. Strays can spread disease to other animals, injure
humans, and harm or kill other pets and livestock.
The solution to the stray problem does not lie with the killing of unwanted
animals. Many local governments report spending over $2 billion annually on
sheltering and destroying 8-10 million unwanted animals. Those are your tax
dollars going to clean up someone else’s lack of good judgment and
responsibility in breeding a cat or dog.
What is the solution? Municipally run, low-cost clinics for the spaying and
neutering of animals. Many cities already have these in place.
According to an Animal Population Control Study in Minnesota,
for every dollar spent on city-run spay/neuter clinics, taxpayers could save
$18.72 each in future animal control costs. Wouldn’t you rather pay $1 instead
of $20?
You cannot control
your pet
As a pet owner, you may argue that you have control over your pet. Your animal
is not a stray, running loose terrorizing people. Your dog or cat is purebred,
and you plan to breed that animal. Purebreds always find homes, you say.
You’re wrong. According to the Fund for Animals, about 25% of animals in
shelters as strays are purebred. Unlike your average Heinz57 roaming tom cat or
yard dog, these animals were bred on purpose only to become a burden on
society. There is absolutely no logical reason to breed your Golden Retriever
unless he is a highly rated champion of some kind. The average purebred dog or
cat also has a good chance of ending up in a shelter, eventually to be
destroyed.
Also, saying you have control over your animal is about as foolhardy as
saying you have absolute control over your children; you can say it, but young
Johnny might still sneak out of the house and drive your car. The same goes for
your pet. That harmless little domestic dog or cat could easily run away,
either for good or just a couple hours.
A cat or dog in heat is especially good at getting her way. She wants to
mate, and according to her nature she will try everything possible to do so.
She’ll slip through a loosely closed door, and soon be on her way to producing
more unwanted animals.
Altering your pet is
good for him/her
Yes, you read that correctly. Spaying or neutering your pet will benefit you
and your pet in a myriad of ways. Female cats and dogs will have no heat
cycles; which can be messy, nerve-wracking, and attract unwanted males of the
species. Females will also have less desire to roam, a longer life, and
decreased or eliminated risk of mammary, ovarian, and/or uterine cancers.
Neutered male cats and dogs will not destroy your house with habits like
spraying urine and marking if neutered before 6 months of age. Males will also
be less likely to roam and be injured in fights with other animals. His risk of
testicular cancer is eliminated, his life is longer, and his behavior is
significantly less aggressive.
As you can see, spaying or neutering your animal is not
harmful at all to your pet. In fact, your Fido and Fluffy will benefit greatly,
as will your community