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Companion Animal Overpopulation: Myth vs. Fact
MYTH: Spaying and neutering are painful.
FACT: Veterinarians perform spay and neuter surgeries under a general anesthetic. Animals
usually return to normal activity within 24 to 72 hours. Any discomfort experienced is
minimal, and well outweighs the suffering and death caused by uncurbed breeding. Altering
animals also eliminates the risk of certain diseases, such as mammary and testicular cancer.
And keep in mind that unaltered male animals are more likely to be killed by cars as a result
of straying from home.
MYTH: Animals must be at least six months old before they can be spayed or neutered.
FACT: Although animals have traditionally been altered at six months, veterinarians are now
practicing early spay/neuter surgery, which can be performed on animals as young as eight
weeks. Doctors practicing the technique report that the surgery is significantly easier and
quicker to perform. Furthermore, guardians of animals altered younger report fewer medical
problems than those of conventionally altered animals. Finally, the spay/neuter procedure,
prior to adopting out animals from shelters, is the best way to ensure that unwanted births
do not occur.
MYTH: Animals, dogs in particular, are less protective after sterilization and show other
negative behavioral changes.
FACT: Any changes brought about by spaying/neutering are generally positive. Neutered male
cats usually stop territorial spraying. Neutered dogs and cats fight less and are less likely
to become lost due to straying from home in search of a mate. Spayed animals do not go into
heat or need to be confined indoors to avoid pregnancy. All altered animals remain protective
and loyal to their guardians.
MYTH: Males don't give birth so we don't need to neuter them.
FACT: The old saying "it takes two to tango" is as true for animals as it is for humans. And
while a female dog or cat can only have one litter at a time, male animals can impregnate
many females each day.
MYTH: Spaying and neutering old is expensive.
FACT: While prices vary considerably, many humane societies and municipal animal control
departments offer low-cost spay/neuter services. And while the cost of surgery may seem high
initially, it's a real bargain when compared with the cost of raising a litter of puppies or
kittens. Spaying and neutering also save taxpayer dollars. On average, it costs approximately
$100 to capture, house, feed and eventually kill a homeless animal - a cost that ultimately
comes out of all our pockets.
Doris Day Animal Foundation
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Every year millions of animals are killed in our shelters because there are not enough good
homes for them. This tragedy is preventable. By spaying or neutering cats and dogs we can
humanely end the companion animal overpopulation crisis.
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Copyright © 2008 Humane Society of Central Illinois. All rights reserved.