DID YOU KNOW ? Spaying or neutering your pet is actually better for the well being of the animal. There are numerous behavioral and medical benefits to spaying and neutering your pets. It is not true that having a litter will make your dog or cat a better pet. It in no way alters their maturity level. In reality, an altered pet, makes a better, more affectionate companion! When spayed or neutered, pets are less likely to roam, fight, mark territory or hump. Neutered males are less aggressive toward other males and less stressed when sensing a female in heat. A neutered male can still have fun! Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity. He will not suffer any emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. It's not true spaying and neutering your pet will cause them to become fat or lazy. It does change their metabolism in most cases so they don't need as much food, but the problem is with us, not them. We tend to overfeed them. Laziness depends on us also as it is our responsibility to exercise and play with them. Dogs and cats don't need to go through a heat cycle before being spayed or neutered. Any heat brings on the chance of pregnancy and can adversely affect the health of your young pet by increasing the risk of certain cancers. Heats bring unwanted male visitors to you yard leaving their territorial markings on your plants and lawn. On top of that, who wants to deal with the howling and whining at 2AM compounded by the mess of female bleeding for one or two weeks? There are other, sometimes better ways for your child to experience the miracle of birth than allowing your pet to have a litter. Not all pregnancies go smoothly. Sometimes there is difficult labor, puppy/kitten mortality or other potential health problems that take the fun out of the experience. Having your child watch a video of a live animal birth may be a more responsible alternative. The surgical procedure is safe and humane. The medical benefits outweigh any risks in both male and female surgeries and actually increase their chances of living long, healthy lives. There is in fact a reduced risk of certain cancers, hernias and prostate problems that veterinarians deal with on a daily basis. It is not true if you have a purebred, pedigreed animal that you need to breed it. So are 1 out of every 4 pets brought to animal shelters around the country. Professional breeders are prepared and equipped for the entire process and it should generally be left to them. (Please see your veterinarian before breeding, as it is not a decision to be taken lightly.) In St. Joseph County alone, the Humane Society has over 7,000 animals come through its doors every year. That's an average of over 580 a month and 134 a week! They can only house 128 dogs and 89 cats at a time. They make every effort to return animals to their owner first, adopt healthy ones out to caring families and if all else fails, place appropriate animals with rescue organizations. The rest are not as lucky. Pet overpopulation is a community problem. Besides being a public nuisance, the problem of companion animal overpopulation costs the taxpayers across the country billions annually through animal control programs aimed at coping with the millions of unwanted pets. We are responsible for our own pet's reproduction. Don't contribute to the millions of dogs and cats destroyed each year because they didn't have a good home. Don't be part of the problem. Be part of the solution!