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TO SPAY OR NOT TO SPAY. By Adriana G-A McIndoe http://www.angelfire.com/hi4/lagatagata. What is Spaying / Neutering?.
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TO SPAY OR NOT TO SPAY By Adriana G-A McIndoe http://www.angelfire.com/hi4/lagatagata
What is Spaying / Neutering? Spaying / Neutering is the removal of the animal’s reproductive organs by means of surgery. Upon reaching sexual maturity, female animals are spayed (removal of ovaries), whereas males are neutered (removal of testicles).
Sexual Maturity 5 – 7 months for a female cat / dog 8 – 10 months for a male cat / dog It is recommended that all dogs / cats not intended for breeding purposes be spayed / neutered.
Benefits of Spaying / Neutering Spaying / Neutering is considered the most humane and economical means of addressing the problem of stray / feral cat overpopulation. It eliminates behavior problems such as, spraying of urine, fighting, and annoying late-night courting of females.
Spaying / Neutering: Eliminates the threat of ovarian / uterine cancer, and greatly reduces the female’s chances of developing breast cancer, if done before she reaches sexual maturity 1 Eliminates the nuisance of stray male suitors Reduces the female’s desire to wander and breed Eliminates irritating heat-related behaviors Prevents unwanted pregnancies Helps control feral cat overpopulation Other Benefits 1 “Spay and Neuter Information.” 5 November 2000. http://www.fuzzyface.com/news.htm - spayinfo
What is a Feral Cat? Feral cats are the “wild” offspring of domestic cats, and the end result of a pet owner’s neglect to alter his / her animals.
A Single Unspayed Female Cat The Hawaii Cat Foundation estimates that a single unspayed female cat could have two to three litters YEARLY, with each containing four to six kittens. 2 2 “Feral Cats in Hawaii: Why Are There Feral Cats?” 29 October 2000. Hawaii Cat Foundation. http://www.hicat.org/
Two Unspayed Dogs Can Produce . . . Let’s start with two dogs: Year 1: four puppies, two are female Year 2: twelve puppies, six are female Year 7: the two dogs have yielded 4,372 puppies 3 3 ”Why Spay and Neuter?” Paradise Animal Shelter Helpers. http://www.ears.net/pash/News2Use_/why_spay_.html
Cats Are Even Worse! In four short years, two cats can produce 20,736 kittens! 4 4 “Why Spay and Neuter?” Paradise Animal Shelter Helpers. http://www.ears.net/pash/News2Use_/why_spay_.html
Stray / Feral Cats It is estimated that 70,000 puppies / kittens are born in the United States every day. Roughly 3,500 will be saved. The rest will be euthanized, or will suffer the cruelties of disease and starvation. 5 5 “Neuter and Spay, It’s the Humane Way.” Guam Animals in Need. http://www.guamanimals.org/neuterbenefit.htm
So, Why Are More Animals Not Spayed / Neutered? There are many misconceptions regarding the procedure. Let us address some myths, and get the facts straight!
Myth vs. Fact 6 6 “Spay and Neuter Information.” 5 November 2000. http://www.fuzzyface.com/news.htm - spayinfo
Be Part of the Solution! Neuter and spay; it’s the humane way!
Contact Information Hawaiian Humane Society 2700 Waialae Avenue Honolulu, HI 96826 PH: (808) 946-2187 E-mail: http://www.hsus.org