Spay & Neuter
Did you know that "Pit Bulls" are currently the number one bred dog in the United States? Ironically, they are also one of the hardest breeds to find homes. It is estimated that there is a current average of 3 million "Pit Bulls" living in the United States and only 1 in 600 will successfully find a "forever" home. Sadly, for every 1 "Pit Bull" placed in a loving home there are 599 killed. Shockingly, that statistic unfortunately does not exclude puppies!
Shelters in large cities across the U.S. typically find themselves with a "Pit Bull" population of anywhere from 40% to 60% of the total shelter population. Many shelters needing more space will opt to euthanize "Pit Bulls" before any other type of dog due to this overwhelming number. 75% of shelters nationwide will euthanize all "Pit Bulls" entering the facility without ever giving them a chance to be adopted…some more lenient organizations may give the dogs a mere 24 hour grace period before administering the lethal injection. A study done by Animal People reports that the "Pit Bull" euthanasia rate in shelters is at approximately 93% on average which means that ultimately only 7% of all homeless "Pit Bulls" in America will find a "forever" home.
The average fertile dog can produce 2 litters in one year. The average number of puppies in a canine litter is 6-10. In six years, one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs..many or most of which will end up dead.
MYTH: It's better to have one litter before spaying a female pet.
FACT:
Every litter counts.
Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures.
MYTH: I want my children to experience the miracle of birth.
FACT:
The miracle of birth is quickly overshadowed by the thousands of
animals euthanized in animal shelters in communities all across the
country. Teach children that all life is precious by spaying and
neutering your pets.
MYTH: But my pet is a purebred.
FACT:
So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters
around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats—mixed breed
and purebred. About half of all animals entering shelters are
euthanized.
MYTH: I want my dog to be protective.
FACT:
It is a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's
personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex
hormones.
MYTH: I don't want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male.
FACT:
Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will
not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of
emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.
MYTH: My pet will get fat and lazy.
FACT:
The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don't give them enough exercise.
MYTH: But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten) just like her.
FACT:
Your pet's puppies or kittens have an unlikely chance of being a carbon
copy of your pet. Even professional breeders cannot make this
guarantee. There are shelter pets waiting for homes who are just as
cute, smart, sweet, and loving as your own.
MYTH: It's expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered.
FACT:
Many low-cost options exist for spay/neuter services. Most regions of
the U.S. have at least one spay/neuter clinic within driving distance
that charge $100 or less for the procedure, and many veterinary clinics
provide discounts through subsidized voucher programs. Low-cost
spay/neuter is more and more widely available all the time.
MYTH: I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.
FACT:
You may find homes for your pet's puppies and kittens. But you can only
control what decisions you make with your own pet, not the decisions
other people make with theirs. Your pet’s puppies and kittens, or their
puppies or kittens, could end up in an animal shelter, as one of the
many homeless pets in every community competing for a home. Will they be
one of the lucky ones?
