Today, February 24, 2015 is the 21st Annual World Spay Day. Why is spaying (and neutering) so important? It literally saves millions of animal lives every year. According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are approximately 2.4 million healthy and adoptable cats and dogs euthanized every year. That boils down to one animal about every 13 seconds. Did you read that – 2.4 MILLION healthy animals?  Why? Oh there are always reasons – I am moving, they got too old and don’t play anymore, a puppy is too much work. But the main reason is that there are just simply too many animals out there. Too much supply and not enough demand.

Spaying doesn’t just save lives though, it also puts a monetary toll onto taxpayers. We pay to have county animal controls to help alleviate the population. It is a necessity simply because of people having litters of puppies and kittens they don’t want. Please don’t blame our animal control for having to euthanize. They don’t enjoy doing it – but it is a dirty job that SOMEONE has to do. Instead - educate! Educate the public on the benefits of spaying and neutering. Do you see someone giving away free puppies along the roadside or at a store, or on Craigslist or Facebook yard sale sites? Inform them that there are options out there for them!

The Humane Society of Harrison County offers two different vouchers every month – a low income and a Kindest Cut. Both have stipulations and are for Harrison County residents, but they are there and we want you to use them. We are looking at other grant programs to fund spaying and neutering in our area as well. Contact local rescues, as many have spay/neuter vouchers, grants, or clinics. If you can’t seem to get one of those – then set up an online account to raise money for your spay/neuter surgery. Gofundme.com, crowdwise.com, and youcaring.com are all websites to use for this payment. And there is also care credit (carecredit.com) which is a credit card usable at numerous veterinarians in our area.

Here are some other benefits of spay and neuter. For females it eliminates the heat cycle. No loud whining or meowing by your pet or neighboring unaltered pets. You help reduce the risk of cancer in your female, including mammary gland tumors and ovarian/uterine tumors. This reduction is really useful if don’t before the first heat cycle as well. By neutering males you will see reduced marking and spraying, as well a decrease in aggressive or over active behavior. It also decreased prostate disease and the risk of testicular cancer is eliminated. Spaying and neutering also reduces the desire to roam – to look for love. So you reduce your animals’ chance of becoming lost or being hit by a car.

There is an old belief that animals need to be six months old to be spayed/neutered. But this is NOT true. Did you know kittens can have their first litter at 4 months old? So by waiting until six months you increase their chance of having a litter. Think just because they are indoor they can’t get pregnant? Not true. As stated above when they come into heat – the actively look to get out of the house and could very easily slip out of a door unnoticed. Many vets in our area do spay and neuter at three months, with some even doing juvenile (as young as eight weeks), so just call around to see which veterinary can accommodate your needs.

And let me leave you with these mind blowing facts:  In just six years – one pair of unaltered (neither spayed nor neutered) dogs and their offspring can create 67,000 dogs. For cats in just seven years – one pair of unaltered cats and their offspring can produce 420,000 cats. Do you know 67000 or 420000 people that want a pet?  I sure don’t. And that’s the sad fact why animals have to be euthanized at animal controls.  Do your pets, yourself, and the community a favor – spay and neuter! Save a life (or thousands).

Meet Foxy. She has been spayed, is up to date on shots and has been wormed. Foxy is a nine-month-old mix; petite like a chihuahua, but looks like a lab. She's on the smaller side, with lots of energy. She's a very loving pup, but is most suitable for a house with no children. Fox is available for adoption. Stop by the shelter and meet her.