February is more than the month of love. It’s also Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, or #BeatTheHeatMonth, which aims to bring attention to the problem of pet overpopulation and promote the importance of spaying and neutering your pets.
The Stats
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates there are about 70 million stray dogs and cats nationwide. About 6 million of those enter shelters each year, but only around half get adopted. Hundreds of thousands of pets are euthanized because there just isn’t room. Then there are those that don’t even make it into the shelters; they’re left on the streets to reproduce and increase the homeless population.
The Math
Cats can begin having kittens at just four months old, and one cat can have up to 20 kittens each year, sometimes more. Dogs can have as many as 12 puppies in a litter, according to the American Kennel Club, with the average being 5-6 puppies. They can have about two litters each year.
You can see how quickly the problem can escalate.
Add to that the pet owners who don’t fix their pets for financial or other reasons. Some think it will just be fun to breed their pet and sell the litter for extra money, but with so many stray and shelter pets needing homes, this is like taking homes away from those already waiting. Some people feel a pet needs to experience motherhood at least once, or that their male pet will feel emasculated once neutered. These are human emotions – animals do not think that way – and if an un-neutered pet gets loose, it doesn’t take long for them to reproduce and add to the problem.
Pet overpopulation is 100% preventable, and you can help by spaying and neutering your own pets.
The Benefits
Besides being a responsible choice as a pet owner, there are benefits to sterilizing your pet. Here are a few from American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA):
Cancer Prevention
- Spaying a female pet greatly reduces the chance of her getting mammary cancer, which is fatal in around 90% of cats and 50% of dogs.
- Neutering a male pet eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.
Behavior Control
- Spayed females won’t have heat cycles, which means there is no crying, howling, bloody discharge or erratic behaviors that come with the cycle.
- Neutered males have reduced instances of marking/spraying, roaming and aggression.
The Time
So when should you neuter or spay your pet? Most pets will be sterilized by the shelter or rescue organization from where you adopt them, but if not, you may need to do a bit of research to determine the best time to fix your pet.
The AAHA recommends “Fix Felines by Five,” which means sterilizing cats by five months of age, usually before their first heat cycle. For dogs, it’s a bit different.
Smaller breed dogs should be neutered earlier – by six months – while more recent studies show that large-breed dogs should wait until after growth stops to prevent joint disorders in later life. This means typically between nine and 15 months old is the right time. This also varies by breed, so it’s important to research your dog’s breed and get recommendations from your vet.
The Cost
Spay and neuter procedures definitely aren’t cheap. If you’re struggling with the cost, there is help. Spay and neuter assistance programs exist in many cities, offering low-cost or even free options depending on income. Best Friends Network Partners has an interactive map showing these programs across the country. Your local shelters should also have information about programs in your area.
How To Help
So what if your pets are already spayed or neutered; how can you help? Education is the key.
- Help spread the word about pet overpopulation and encourage people in your community to spay and neuter their pets.
- Talk about it on your socials with the hashtag #BeatTheHeatMonth.
- Donate to spay/neuter assistance programs to help others afford it.
Check out the fun tees & mugs below as a way to show support and spread the word:
