
The
15th annual Spay Day USA takes place on Feb. 24, 2009.
Spay or Neuter Your Pet
By having your pet spayed or
neutered, you are reducing or eliminating your pet's risk of
contracting certain cancers while ensuring she or he does not
contribute to the tragedy of pet overpopulation.
Participate
by sponsoring one of our fosters! Click
HERE
Visit our Events Page to see where we
will be. Come out and see us
during the month of February to learn more about Spaying and
Neutering.
Top 5 Myths about Spaying and Neutering
1. My pet should have a heat cycle first -- she will be a better
pet
This is a very common
misconception about spaying. By spaying before the first
heat, you will reduce the chance of mammary (breast) cancer in
your pet by as much as 97% over their lifetime. The chance of
other reproductive cancers (uterine, ovarian, mammary) and a
life-threatening uterine infection appearing are eliminated
in spayed animals. Even after the first heat, spaying will
be beneficial, so whatever your pet's age, it is important to
spay.
2. My pet should have a litter first -- so the kids can see "the
miracle of birth"
This is a self-centered approach, as the "other side" to this
story is the loss of millions of unwanted animals to
euthanasia each year1 in the United states alone.
Even when pet owners find homes for the puppies and kittens, one
has to ask: are they lifetime homes with good care? would those
homes have saved an animal doomed to euthanasia in a shelter
somewhere?
3. I am worried that my pet will become fat and lazy
While neutering a pet (this includes spaying and castration)
will alter hormone levels, it does not mean that your pet
is doomed to obesity. Calorie-rich foods and snacks, coupled
with too little exercise are the principle factors of obesity in
pets, just like humans. It is important to establish daily
exercise routines (walking, playing fetch, etc.) in order to
keep your pet at an optimal weight. Discuss the best food for
your pet with your veterinarian.
4. My dog won't be as good of a protector of my home if neutered
Most dogs are naturally protective and aware of their family and
territory. While intact pets are usually more "territorial",
this is usually in terms of urine marking and aggression (to
other pets and to humans). Neutering reduces the urge to roam
and fight. Providing a loving environment for your pet, proper
health care, and proper training will be the most influential
benefit
to maintaining a happy pet that fits into your family who will
alert family members of danger.
5. Spaying are neutering are too expensive -- my pet is healthy
already
First, speak with your veterinarian. Some practices offer
spay/neuter packages as part of a new pet vaccination package,
have a "spay day" (reduced price spays on a certain day), or a
reduced spay fee for those who demonstrate need. Many shelters
and humane organizations work with veterinarians to provide spay
vouchers and other funding to those who are unable to afford
spaying. The
associated costs of pregnancy, illness, or injury related to not
being neutered are much greater.
OR send check or money order to:
IPPRA, Inc.
P.O. Box 74
Boone Grove, IN 46302-0074
Please put the Name of the foster you
are sponsoring on your check or money order.
We
are an approved 501(c)(3) organization.
Your donations are Tax-deductible.
Pet overpopulation is a result of the irresponsible
behavior of humans; animals are just doing what comes
naturally! Please don't buy while homeless pets die.....Adopt a
Rescue! Please spay and neuter your pets!
More on Spay
& Neuter
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