Where can I get my animal spayed or neutered?
Your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may be able to work out special financing options for you. Remember that, even if you pay full price for the procedures, spaying or neutering is a one-time cost with a lifetime of benefits. Spaying or neutering your pet not only helps curb pet overpopulation but also reduces your pet’s risk of succumbing to many health problems. It remains one of the best bargains in animal health care.
Low cost option! SNAP-NC. SNAP-NC (Spay/Neuter Assistance Program of North Carolina) is a non-profit mobile surgery group committed to addressing the increasing companion animal overpopulation issues in our state. Call (919) 783- SNAP (7627) or visit their website at: www.snap-nc.org
Low cost option! Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter Certificate. You can purchase a spay/neuter certificate at our front desk as part of the Friends of the Animals Spay/Neuter program. These certificates are accepted by select local veterinarians. Prices are $51 for male cats & $65 for female cats; $64 for male dogs & $90 for female dogs. Payments must be made in cash only.
Low cost option! AnimalKind’s $20 Fix Program. Qualifying applicants can have their animals fixed for as little as $20! (919) 870-1660 More info at http://www.animalkind.org/fix.html
Low cost option! Pet Overpopulation Patrol (POP-NC): Mobile, affordable spay & neuter.
For more info, locations & to schedule an appointment, call 919-942-2250. www.pop-nc.com
Why Spay/Neuter?
Sometimes there’s just too much of a good thing… then there’s a problem. In the case of dogs and cats, it’s the problem of pet overpopulation. Each year, 6-8 million dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens are left at animal shelters around the country. Some are lost, some are abandoned, some are unwanted; most are the result of irresponsible pet ownership. Sadly, 3-4 million of those animals have to be euthanized because there aren’t enough homes for them all.
Good for Your Pet
- Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
- Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
- Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
- Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostrate disease.
Good for You
- Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions
- Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
- Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to twelve days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of seven days, three or more times a year, in cats.
- Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
- Spaying and neutering makes pets less likely to bite. Un-sterilized animals often exhibit more behavioral and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered. Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
Good for the Community
- Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
- Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
- Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
- Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
- Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.
The Answer to Pet Overpopulation
- In six years, one female dog and her offspring can be the source of 67,000 puppies
- In just seven years, one female cat and her young and produce 420,000 kittens
- There is theoretically no limit to the number of offspring male dogs and cats can produce
- Every day in the United States, tens of thousands of puppies and kittens are born. Compare this to the 11,000 human births each day, and you can see that there can never be enough homes for all these pets.
- Please stop the needless deaths of wonderful animals by spaying and neutering.
Spay & Neuter Myths and Facts
“My pet will get fat and lazy.” The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don’t give them enough exercise.
“It’s better to have one litter first.” Actually, medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier.
“But my pet is a purebred.” So is at least 1 of every 4 animals brought to animal shelters around the country.
“I want my dog to be protective.” Spaying and neutering does not affect a dog’s natural instincts to protect its home and family. A dog’s personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by its sex hormones.
“My children should experience the miracle of birth.” Even if children are able to see a pet give birth—which is unlikely, since it usually occurs at night and in seclusion—the lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be explained to children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others.
“I don’t want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male.” Pets don’t have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering a male dog or cat will not change its basic personality. It doesn’t suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.
“It’s too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered.” The cost of spaying and neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the animal, your veterinarian’s fees, and a number of other variables. But whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost and relatively small when compared to all the benefits.
“I’ll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.” You may find homes for all of your pet’s litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. Also, in less than one year’s time, each of your pet’s offspring may have his/her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time.
