Why Spay and Neuter?

Spaying and neutering helps reverse the tragedy of pet overpopulation, reduces your pet's chances of developing deadly, costly medical problems, and improves your pet's behavior.

Too many homeless animals

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control is an open-access shelter that never turns an animal away.  In 2006, we received 15,919 animals of which 12,234 were dogs and cats.  One of our primary goals is to reunite lost animals with owners, but oftentimes no owner steps forward to claim the animals we receive or it is the owner that gives up their animal.

To find a new home for each animal not claimed, we would need over 300 families or individuals willing to adopt a pet each week. Not only is that a daunting challenge, it's highly improbable. According to the National Pet Owner's Survey, only 20% of the 64.2 million households' that report owning a pet acquired their pet through a shelter adoption program. Most owners acquire their pet from a friend, relative, or breeder.  Approximately 9% purchase dogs from a pet shop and 5% purchase cats.

The tragedy of homeless animals waiting for adoption in US shelters is serious and it can be attributed in part to people who fail to have their pets spayed or neutered, and who abandon or give up pets because of lack of commitment to training the pet.

Sterilization of companion animals is the key to reducing this tragedy. Communities that have established sterilization programs have seen the number of pets euthanized drop by 30 to 60%.

Advantages for you and your pet

Neutered/spayed pets are less aggressive, less likely to fight, and less likely to bite, as documented in studies.

Neutered/spayed pets (especially males) are less territorial and less likely to roam. Research indicates that 80% of dogs hit by cars are unaltered males.

Neutered pets are less likely to mark furniture and rugs with urine.

Spayed females will not have heat cycles that soil rugs and furniture and usually shed less fur.

Neutered pets can't develop testicular tumors, the second most common malignancy in males, and have a lower incidence of prostate cancer, which is better for your pet and means lower medical bills.

Spayed females typically stay healthier and will live longer. They have a lower incidence of mammary tumors and no uterine or ovarian cancer, which is better for your pet and means lower medical bills.

Sterilization does not change the pet's personality or cause weight gain.

Removing the urge to mate focuses more of a pet's attention on the caregiver, aiding in training.  Sterilized pets behave better.

When to spay/neuter

Pets can become capable of reproduction as early as 6 months of age. That's why pets should be spayed or neutered before the age of six months, as endorsed by the AVMA; the chief veterinarian of the Humane Society of the United States recommends 4 months as ideal. Older pets can safely be sterilized as well. This routine surgical procedure removes the reproductive organs. It does not cause the pet pain or stress, and most pets recover within a day.

Every litter matters.  You can make a difference!

Teach children the true meaning of responsible pet ownership and love by sterilizing your pets to prevent the birth of more homeless animals.

Adopt a homeless pet.

Tell others the good reasons to spay and neuter pets.

Make an appointment with your veterinarian to spay or neuter your pet today. Or contact local low-cost spay/neuter sources:

Spaying and neutering your pets will help reverse the tragedy of pet over-population AND improve the health (and reduce long-term medical costs) of your pet. In addition, neutered males behave better, are less prone to escape and show aggression, and mark less. The best time to spay/neuter for your pet's health/recovery time and your budget is between four and six months of age.

For information about the Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic of Fort Wayne, call 260-424-5982.  For information about SNAP, the Spay Neuter Assistance Program available to limited-income families within Allen County call Animal Care & Control at 260-427-1244. For requirment guidelines go to "Shelter News" on this site.

Sources: American Humane Association, Humane Society of the United States, Cornell University's DogWatch.

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