They Can’t Read and Write, But They Sure Can Multiply

February is National Spay and Neuter Month

Humane Societies and animal shelters do everything possible to find homes for each and every animal in their care; however, there simply aren’t enough homes to go around. All over the United States, millions of healthy, loving companion animals are humanely euthanized each year due to lack of homes. And countless others are neglected, abused, or abandoned – all victims of a tremendous overpopulation problem.

Every single puppy and kitten born contributes to this tragedy. Even when pet owners have “found homes” for an entire litter, each of those animals deprives a dog or cat waiting patiently in a shelter from finding a loving family. Purebreds are no exception. Studies have shown that close to 25% of animals in shelters are purebred dogs and cats.

Consider these statistics: According to the Humane Society of the United States, a single un-spayed female cat, her mate, and their offspring can produce a total of 420,000 kittens in just seven years! In six years, one un-spayed female dog and her offspring can product 67,000 puppies! This results in the euthanization of millions of homeless pets.

I always get asked the question, “Won’t we run out of pets if all animals are spayed and neutered?” And here’s my answer: Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals. In other words, there’s no chance we’re going to run out of pets anytime soon.

And aside from helping stop the overpopulation crisis, spaying and neutering has both medical and behavioral benefits for your dog and cat:

1. Neutering male dogs and cats makes them less likely to fight with other males (or mark their territory), and it virtually eliminates the risk of testicular tumors or prostate problems.

2. Spaying female dogs and cats before they go into heat greatly reduces their chances of developing mammary, ovarian, or uterine cancers.

3. Spayed and neutered pets are also less likely to slip out of the house or yard to find mates. Each year, thousands of roaming animals in search of mates become lost or are hit by cars.

Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. There simply aren’t enough homes, so please spay or neuter your pet!

Below are several veterinary clinics in Santa Barbara County that are participating in National Spay/Neuter Month by offering low-cost spaying and neutering.

Santa Barbara and Goleta:

ABC Veterinary Clinic: 564-1464

Santa Barbara Humane Society: 964-4777

Lompoc:

Animal Care Hospital: 735-3602

St. Francis Veterinary Hospital: 735-8980

Village Veterinary Clinic: 733-3548

West Valley Veterinary Clinic: 736-1238

Santa Maria:

Adobe Animal Clinic: 925-1131

All Valley Pet Hospital: 922-0305

Santa Maria Animal Hospital: 925-4059