The Importance of Spaying and Neutering

Every year in the United States alone, 4 to 6 million unwanted pets are euthanized, simply because there is no place for them. Each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals. There is an overpopulation crisis among dogs and cats all over the world. Simply put, there are too many pets, and not enough homes for them. Overpopulation of pets causes many different problems, such as many animals being put to sleep, inbreeding which can cause congenital defects in their offspring, overcrowding of animal shelters, and many other problems. The most common statement people make regarding spaying or neutering is, "I can't afford it, it's too expensive!". If you can't afford to spay or neuter your pet, then perhaps owning a pet is not for you. Pets need lots of regular care that can add up fast, such as vet bills, vaccinations, food, flea treatments, and much more. If you have a pet, and you simply can't part with it, there are still options out there for you to spay or neuter. Many animal friendly organizations across the US have special spay or neuter programs in place to help you out with the cost of fixing your pet. Check with your local animal shelter to find these organizations.

Spaying or neutering is also good for your pet. It can prevent health problems, and also eliminate unwanted behaviour, such as "marking their territory", going into heat, and other undesirable behaviours. It also dramatically increases the life expectancy of your pet. Spaying a female eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer. Neutering a male reduces the risk of both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. Neutering also will make your pet more affectionate and less likely to roam, get in fights, or become lost. It is the healthy and good thing to do for your pet, and can prevent more unwanted pets from being put to sleep. ---------------- Stephanie is the webmaster of StephanieDavies.com and provides live telephone advice of all kinds to people from all over the world. She gives advice on depression, mental health, spirituality, sexuality, relationships, and many other topics. For more information please visit her website at http://www.stephaniedavies.com or subscribe to her newsletter by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liveadvice