Did you know that in just seven years one canine couple can produce 4,372 dogs?  Or that one kitty couple can produce 420,000 in that same time period? 

Did you know that each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S., whereas 70,000 puppies and kittens are born daily?  As a result of these birth rates, 4 to 6 million animals are euthanized annually because there simply aren’t enough homes in which to place all of these precious creatures.
  
It’s a simple fact that spaying and neutering greatly increases the length and quality of our pet’s lives.  Spayed animals no longer feel the need to roam to find a mate.  Since they’re more likely to stay at home, there’s less risk of them being involved in traumatic accidents, such as dog fights or being hit by a car (80% of all dogs hit by cars are intact males!).  They also have fewer opportunities to contract a contagious disease.

Spayed and neutered pets are more affectionate, more responsive, companions.  Their anxiety (or sexual frustration that often manifests itself through aggression, mounting, nervous behavior, incessant crying in female cats, and “flagging” in female dogs) levels are reduced, as is their aggression toward people and other dogs.  Neutered dogs are easier to walk since they no longer need to “mark” everything that’s vertical, spayed females no longer have a heat cycle, and YOU no longer have to deal with the mess.

The benefits for male dogs and cats:

• Reduces roaming
• Reduces the need to fight
• Reduces exposure to contagious diseases
• Reduces “marking”
• Reduces injuries, resulting in lower vet bills
• Decreases the chances of developing prostate cancer
• Eliminates the chances of developing testicular cancer
• Reduces aggression without the loss of watchdog abilities
• Reduces "mounting" behavior

The benefits for female dogs and cats:

• Prevents unwanted litters
• Decreases the incidence of breast cancer
• Eliminates the chance of developing pyometra
• Eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer
• Eliminates the heat cycle and associated mood swings
• Prevents false pregnancies
• Prevents neighborhood males from camping outside your home waiting for the opportunity to mate with your female
• Reduces exposure to contagious diseases
Benefits for both sexes:
• Spayed and neutered pets are better, more affectionate, companions
• Neutered cats and dogs are less likely to spray and mark territory
• Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to bite
• Spayed and neutered dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives
• Neutered animals are less likely to roam and fight
• Communities spend millions of dollars controlling/eliminating homeless animals
• Animal shelters are already severely overburdened with surplus animals

THE GOOD NEWS

Every pet owner can make a difference.  By having your dog or cat surgically sterilized, you’ll be doing your part to prevent the birth – and untimely death - of yet another round of unwanted puppies and kittens.  

About the Author

Marilyn Melie is the owner of Obedience Basics Dog Training in Pasadena, CA, www.SmartDawgs.com, and specializes in training pet dogs to be well-mannered members of their families.

Site Notes: The information provided on Los Angeles Dog Trainers .org does not constitute dog training advice, we encourage you to visit our trainers section to contact a local trainer to discuss you and your dog needs. ©2005, 2008 Los Angeles Dog Trainers. All Rights Reserved.

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