With the economy being what it is, many people are struggling to heat their homes let alone get their pets spayed or neutered. Lately I have talked with many people who have called for information because they are not able to afford the price their regular vet quoted them to have their pet spayed or neutered. There are programs available providing these services for what many people would consider low cost. For cats the shelter hosts low-cost spay and neuter clinics twice a month, by appointment only. There are programs out there available for dogs as well; for more information, call the shelter at 468-4377.

If you are struggling to make a decision to spay or neuter, there is some information that may assist with the dilemma. For cats it’s first important to know that it is a state and city law to have your cat sterilized regardless of weather or not it goes outside, unless you obtain a special permit to keep the cat intact. The permit costs far more than it does to have the cat fixed. Both male and female cats that are not fixed are more likely to “spray” (urine mark); this is often the reason why some landlords will give a renter the ultimatum “it’s either you or the cat.” After all, no one wants his or her place to be christened with eau de kitty. Cats also have a tendency to be more aggressive or ornery if not sterilized.

Males are more likely to fight with other cats and females are at risk for mammary cancer and pyometra, a uterine infection that can be fatal. Cats tend to become pregnant in the spring so it would be wise and responsible to get your unfixed cat taken care of sooner rather than later. Cats, unlike dogs, don’t have scheduled heat cycles and quite literally are constantly in and out of heat, they are capable of reproducing at 5 to 6 months old.

For dogs, aside from the obvious adding more dogs to the population, males are at higher risk for prostate cancer and females are at higher risk for mammary cancer as well as pyometra. Unfixed dogs, particularly males, are statistically more likely to be aggressive with both humans and other dogs. In fact, un-neutered male dogs give most dog bites. This applies to all dogs, not just mixed breeds. Just because you have a “purebred dog” does not mean you should be breeding it; before anyone breeds anything they first should be doing their research with the dog’s bloodlines (a topic I will address at a later date).

Un-neutered males are more likely to make a habit of escaping when there is a female in heat in the area and females are not necessarily safe just because you have a fenced yard – where there’s a will, there’s a way. Many people do not realize that a dog owner can be fined if their female dog is found in an unconfined area while she is in heat, which usually occurs every six months and can last up to approximately 23 days. Depending on the breed of dog they can begin to reproduce at 5 or 6 months of age. Many people do not realize that a pregnant dog or cat can be spayed and do not necessarily have to deliver unwanted puppies or kittens.

An excuse I often hear is, “I want my children to witness the miracle of birth.” My response: I suggest you get a book or video. “I want to keep one of the puppies or kittens because the mom or dad is such a great dog or cat.” My response: just because your pet is a great one doesn’t mean the offspring will be and there are many great pets sitting in shelters. It is not fair that unwanted animals are born and in many cases die for the purpose of education or to fulfill the desire to attempt to produce a clone of the parent pet. Other excuses include “my pet will be mad at me” or “I just can’t do it to him,” which I hear a lot from male dog owners about their male dogs. My response: your pet will not relate anything connected to the surgery to you at all, nor will he miss or even necessarily notice that some of his plumbing is now missing – only humans will commiserate about this. “My pet will get fat and lazy.” My response: if your pet is fat and lazy then it is either because they are not getting enough exercise, they are overeating or there is a medical problem. And lastly, “my pet’s personality will change.” My response: in most cases, if it changes at all it will only change for the better. Every home that takes a puppy or kitten is a home taken away from animals already sitting in shelters. It is our responsibility as pet owners to do what is in their best interest, not ours.