Spay & Neuter Your Pet

The single most important thing we can do to save animals from the suffering and death that pet overpopulation causes is to spay and neuter them.    Millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays.  Many are the result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.    Just one unaltered female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in only six years.  In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce an incredible 420,000 kittens. 

It has been proven that sterilized animals live longer, healthier lives.  Spaying eliminates the stress and discomfort that females experience during heat periods, eliminates the risk of uterine cancer and greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer.  Neutering makes males far less likely to roam or fight, prevents testicular cancer, and reduces the risk of prostate cancer.  The one-time cost of spaying or neutering an animal is far lower than the expense involved in gathering up strays, feeding and housing abandoned animals and euthanizing costs for those where homes cannot be found.

All of us are affected by animal overpopulation.   Animal shelters do their very best to place animals in loving, forever homes, but the number of homeless animals unfortunately far exceeds the number of wiling adopters. Approximately 3.7 million animals are euthanized at animal shelters each year due to the fact that there are not enough willing, responsible adopters.  Human health is threatened by the danger of transmittable diseases (including rabies), animal bites and attacks.  It is only when each and every one of us assumes the responsibility for pet overpopulation that we will see a decrease in the problem.  Having your pet spayed or neutered ensures that you will not be adding to this huge crisis.   Won’t you do your part today??

The Humane Society of Harford County can provide you with information on a number of low cost spay/neuter options in the area.  Please call 410-836-1090 x109 for more information.