Spaying and Neutering Facts

It is truly a national tragedy that millions of animals are killed each year simply because no one WANTS them. Spread the word that when acquiring an animal, you assume sole responsibility for her. Much like children, animals depend on us to keep them happy, healthy, and safe. Be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. The new millennium is a time for hope, for change, and for new beginnings. Spay/Neuter is the single most important thing you can do to make a difference. Please have a heart.

• Spaying refers to the surgical removal of a female companion animal's uterus and ovaries. The human equivalent is an ovario-hysterectomy. Females who have been spayed cannot have babies. They no longer secrete the hormones that regulate their reproductive readiness. Heat cycles bring hormonal changes that can lead to personality changes.
• Neutering refers to the surgical removal of a male companion animal's testicles. Castration is another term for the same thing. (The word "neuter" is sometimes used as a gender-free term. So are the words "fixed," sterilized," and "altered.") Males who have been neutered cannot manufacture sperm.
• In reality, neutering a male is similar to spaying a female. The gonads are in different locales and the surgical procedure is different, but the end result is the same--no more reproduction.
• Female dogs go into heat every six months usually starting at six months of age.
• Starting at five or six months of age, female cats go into heat usually twice monthly resulting in constant "mate attracting vocalizations," as well as territorial urine marking.
• Dogs and cats are pregnant for 63 days.
• Nursing dogs and cats CAN get pregnant.
• Spay/neuter is a one-time expense that will result in a healthier and happier companion animal.
• The Numbers Are Staggering!
• In 6 years, one female dog and its offspring can be the source of 67,000 puppies.
• In 7 years, one female cat and its young can produce 420,000 kittens.
• 70,000 puppies and kittens are born every day in the USA alone. Compared to only 10,000 human births, it's clear that there will never be enough homes for all these animals.
• Almost 8,000,000 dogs and cats are euthanized each year because there are no homes for them.

Information above by the Johnson County Humane Society of Iowa