Why Is Spaying and Neutering Such an Important Issue?
In six years, one female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies. In seven years, one female cat and her young can produce 420,000 cats. The average animal shelter can only find homes for 10-50% of the animals impounded. Every year 6 to 12 million animals die in shelters. The bottom line is, there are too many pets and not enough homes. These figures can be significantly reduced when procreation is controlled by spaying and neutering one’s pets.
Spaying is the surgical removal of the uterus and both ovaries in a female dog or cat. Neutering is the surgical removal of both testicles on a male dog or cat. Both are performed as painless procedures under anesthesia. This is also known as “altering” or “fixing” your pet.
Still thinking about whether or not you should have your pet spayed or neutered? Many people find themselves struggling with this decision when they get a new pet, wondering if it’s worth the expense, or whether it hurts their pet to have them fixed. Although there are many rumors and myths about spaying and neutering, the facts show that it is one of the most important things you can do as a responsible pet owner to ensure the safety and happiness of your pets. The benefits of spaying or neutering your pets outweigh any potential downside, both for the individual pet and the overall pet population. In fact, spaying or neutering is one of the best things you can do for your pet, your home, and your community.
Spay and neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small compared to its long-term benefits. Getting pets spayed or neutered helps them live longer, healthier lives because spaying or neutering your pet will lower the risk of it contracting a number of potentially dangerous diseases. For example, the risk of cancers – ovarian, uterine, and breast in females, and testicular and prostate in males – is dramatically reduced once the animal has been fixed. This alone increases the life expectancy of your pet. Animals that are not sterilized often exhibit more behavioral and temperament problems than those who have been spayed or neutered. Sterilizing your animal lessens their aggressive tendencies and will make them more affectionate companions. The neutering of male dogs and cats will lower their testosterone levels; as a result, the male pet will be less likely to spray and mark his territory. Spaying female dogs and cats removes the menstrual or heat cycles which will prevent them from reproducing unwanted litters. All animals that have been spayed or neutered are less likely to roam, run away, or get into fights and bite other animals.
The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the pet, your veterinarian’s fees, and a few other variables. For more information about spaying or neutering, contact your veterinarian.
Click here for information on Cook County's low cost spay/neuter program.
The Village of Schaumburg would like to encourage you to help control the pet overpopulation. Be a part of the solution. Please have your pet spayed or neutered.
Animal Control Services