Please Spay or Neuter Your Pet

There are many myths about spaying and neutering cats and dogs, please read below to see what the Humane Society of the United States says about the spay/neuter.  And please consider that though you might find homes for the kittens and puppies from your litters, that may be taking away an opportunity for a deserving homeless kitten or puppy to be adopted from a shelter or rescue group.  Pet overpopulation and abandonment is a widespread and daunting problem throughout our state and nation.  Every single day countless numbers of perfectly friendly and healthy kittens, cats, puppies and dogs are being euthanized right here in Central Florida due to the overwhelming number of abandoned and homeless animals ending up in our local shelters.  If you have any doubt in regards to this, or to the benefits of spay/neuter, just volunteer one day at your local animal shelter or rescue group, I guarantee that this will have a profound and longlasting impact on you!

Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet

By making sure that your pet can't have puppies or kittens, you'll have peace of mind that his or her offspring won't be euthanized in an animal shelter.

Many people are surprised to learn that nationwide more than 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters. You might think that these are animals born in the streets or there is something "wrong" with them. But often they are the offspring of cherished family pets, even purebreds. Maybe someone's dog or cat got out just that one time or maybe the litter was intentional, but efforts to find enough good homes failed.

Still the result is homeless animals that have to be euthanized because there are more dogs and cats entering shelters than there are people willing to provide them with loving care. Even if you do find homes for your pet's puppies or kittens, that means there are fewer homes available to take in other pets from shelters. Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats.

Help Yourself and Help Your Community

Homeless animals may get into trash containers, defecate in the neighborhood and bite or attack. Spaying/neutering your pet means that your animal and its potential offspring won't contribute to the population of unwanted pets. You can also enjoy your spayed or neutered pet more. Female pets that have been spayed do not go into heat. You won't have the mess that comes with the female reproductive cycle or the boisterous, noisy male suitors. Spaying and neutering may also reduce the risk of certain health problems, offering you more years with your beloved dog or cat.

Safe and effective

Licensed veterinarians perform the spay or neuter operation while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you. If you have a new puppy or kitten, don't wait! Pets can become parents sooner than you think. Early age spay/neuter is safe and effective, so talk with your veterinarian at your pet's first visit.

Financial assistance may be available

Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when you consider the benefits. It's a small price to pay to make sure your pet's offspring aren't euthanized. For pets living in homes with limited income, reduced cost procedures may be available. Humane societies work with veterinarians to offer subsidized and affordable spay and neuter services in veterinarians offices, in specialized clinics and even in customized mobile units that bring safe, effective spaying and neutering into specific neighborhoods. 

Millions of pet deaths each year are a tragedy—but it can be solved. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution. Contact your veterinarian today and be sure to let your family and friends know that they should do the same.

We can not stress enough the need to spay/neuter your pets (and those strays wandering your neighborhood having litter after litter and then those kittens having litter after litter!).  Every single day thousands of abandoned, unwanted companion animals are being euthanized just in the state of Florida. And countless other needless horrible deaths happen to kittens and cats struggling to survive on their own after being abandoned in the streets, deaths from cars, other animals, poison, being trapped in places where they can't get to food or water, and as unthinkable as it may be humans who torture small animals for "fun" (and if you think that is no big deal, remember that it is a fact that people who torture animals are just steps away from doing the same to their own species).  Please, please spay and neuter your pets!

Following are video links that may have more of an impact than our simple words...

(please note -- a couple of these videos may be difficult to watch as they have more disturbing images, unfortunately this is the reality of the vast majority of abandoned, unwanted companion animals.  FYI - we did NOT include videos that were even more graphic, but those are out there if you want an even more realistic picture of what happens at our local animal services/controls. And please understand that we do not "blame" our county animal agencies -- the problem arises from people who do not spay/neuter their pets and then abandon them and their offspring when the inevitable happens.) 

Beautiful clip featuring Sarah McLachlan singing "Angel"

Spay and Neuter Public Service Announcement

Original full length version of "How Could You"

Shorter version of "How Could You"

"How Could You?".pdf
          -Mr. Jim Willis of Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2001