| Every year, hundreds of thousands of cats and | | | | reduces the cat's risk of developing cancers of |
| kittens are destroyed because they are | | | | the reproductive system. A female cat spayed |
| unwanted. Animal shelters that take in these | | | | before her first cycle, or heat, has a greatly |
| animals and try to find them homes are | | | | reduced chance of mammary cancer. |
| overcrowded. With so many animals in need, they | | | | Less than a decade ago, conventional wisdom |
| cannot support all animals indefinitely. The solution | | | | dictated that pets should be neutered at between |
| is not to open more shelters, but for cat owners | | | | 5-7 months of age. Recent studies have found |
| to become more responsible about spaying and | | | | that it is not only possible to spay/neuter cats at |
| neutering their pets.A female cat can have two | | | | a younger age, it actually is better for them. |
| litters of kittens each year. The average survival | | | | Today, cats undergo spay/neuter procedures at |
| rate is about 2.8 kittens per litter. If her offspring | | | | about 7 weeks of age. They recover much more |
| are not spayed or neutered, the result is 12 cats | | | | quickly than if it was done later, and ensures that |
| the first year, 66 cats in the second year, and at | | | | a female does not become pregnant with her first |
| the end of ten years, the total would be | | | | heat.In the past spaying was limited for a number |
| 80,399,780 cats."Spay" is the term used for the | | | | of reasons* It was better to let a female cat |
| surgical removal of a female animal's uterus and | | | | give birth to one litter of kittens before spaying.* |
| ovaries. When a male's testicles are removed, it is | | | | That female cats in particular, might later develop |
| called "neutering." Both procedures leave the | | | | incontinence as a result.* That certain behavioral |
| animals unable to reproduce. Besides preventing | | | | problems might result.However, these theories |
| unwanted pregnancies, spaying and neutering of | | | | have since been disproven.In the past, animal |
| pets has other benefits for cats and their | | | | shelters and humane societies sent unaltered cats |
| owners.Benefits of neutering a male cat* | | | | kittens to their new home because they wanted |
| Neutered cats are less likely to spray strong | | | | them to start their new life as soon as possible. |
| urine* Neutered cats will lose the urge to fight* | | | | Usually, owners signed documents promising to |
| Neutered cats will be less likely to try to escape* | | | | have the animal neutered. Some facilities took it |
| Neutered cats will not suffer the abscesses from | | | | upon themselves to follow up with phone calls to |
| fighting* Neutered cats will be less likely to | | | | make sure the owners were living up to their |
| contract diseases such as FeLV and FIV* | | | | commitment. The overwhelming number of |
| Neutered cats will not be subject to testicular | | | | animals coming and going in a shelter today |
| cancer* Neutered cats will not likely develop "stud | | | | makes this unfeasible. Instead of allowing their |
| tail," caused by overactive glands in the tail* | | | | charges to add to the overpopulation problem, |
| Neutered cats have a decreased risk of | | | | most animal welfare/adoption groups routinely |
| mammary cancerSpaying a female cat prevents | | | | spay and neuter animals before they are made |
| mating behaviors such as fighting and yowling | | | | available for adoption. A number of municipalities |
| hyperactivity in females. Spayed cats don't roam | | | | have passed laws so that no animal can leave a |
| the neighborhood as much, protecting them from | | | | shelter unless it has been spayed/neutered.Pet |
| the dangers of vehicles and aggressive dogs. | | | | Medication Supplies [ can help you get the best |
| Their tendency to stay closer to home also | | | | possible supplies for your pet. Advantix, |
| provides protection against deadly diseases such | | | | Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find |
| as FeLV and FIV. Finally, "fixed" pets tend to be | | | | the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick |
| more loving, because they are not subject to the | | | | control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% |
| erratic effects of hormones.One of the biggest | | | | discount everyday on brand names. |
| benefits of spaying/neutering is that it dramatically | | | | |