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