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Every year in the United States, an estimated 5 million animals lose their lives in shelters. That is one pet life lost every 6.5 seconds.
It costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $2 billion each year to round up, house, euthanize and dispose of homeless animals.
The pet overpopulation epidemic is so staggering that for every animal born in the United States to have a home, each and every human being would have to own 6 dogs and 9 cats.
What do “spay” and “neuter” really mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases, the operation is performed while the animal is under anesthesia.
Is spaying or neutering really good for my pet?
Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of mammary tumors (breast cancer), particularly when your pet is spayed before her first heat.
Neutering eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Altering your pet can lessen undesirable behaviors such as spraying, roaming, aggression, and mounting.
Is the surgery safe?
RICSNC uses an anesthesia protocol that is approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Licensed veterinarians perform the surgery while the animal is under full anesthesia.
At what age can I get my pets spayed or neutered?
RICSNC will spay or neuter puppies and kittens when they are 8 weeks old. It is a myth that you can't spay/neuter kittens and puppies when they're so young. In fact, they recover from spay/neuter surgery very quickly! Pediatric spay/neuter is safe and less stressful on the animal than waiting until it's older.
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: It’s better to have just one litter first.
Fact: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier and have a reduced possibility of developing mammary (breast) cancer. Many veterinarians now sterilize puppies and kittens as young as eight weeks of age.
Myth: My children should experience the miracle of birth.
Fact: By allowing your pet to give birth, you are contributing to pet overpopulation. Explain to your children that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others and consider fostering a pregnant animal from a shelter or rescue group if you still feel the need to see the “miracle of birth.”
Myth: My pet is a purebred and they aren’t allowed in shelters.
Fact: At least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country is a purebred. There are just too many cats and dogs, both mixed breed and purebred.
Myth: I want my dog to be protective.
Fact: Spaying or neutering does not affect 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: Dogs and cats cannot be safely spayed while pregnant.
Fact: Dogs and cats CAN be safely spayed while pregnant.
Myth: I don’t want my 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 dog (cat) is so special, I want a puppy (kitten) just like her.
Fact: A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can't guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet owner’s chances are even slimmer.
Myth: It’s too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered.
Fact: The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the pet
and a number of other variables. But, whatever the actual price, spay or neuter
surgery is a one-
Myth: I’ll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.
Fact: You may find homes for all of your pet’s litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters that need good homes. Also, in less than one year’s time, each of your pet’s offspring may have her own litter, adding even more animals to the population.