Animal Welfare of Surry NC

low cost spay neuter, adopt , dog, rescue, puppy

Why Spay or Neuter?

LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER

According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are 7 puppies/kittens born for every baby born in the U.S. (A family of 4 would have to own 28 pets for every pet to have a home).  According to SPAY USA, 1 cat, and all of its offspring, can produce 240 kittens in a little over a year, and over 11,000 cats within 5 years. Cats can become pregnant between 4-6 mo. of age, and again within 1 -2 weeks after having a litter of kittens. Dogs reproduce at 1/3 this rate. One dog, and all of its offspring, can produce over 500 dogs in a 3 yr. period. One unspayed, female dog/cat, and all of their offspring can produce >11,000 cats/dogs in a 6 yr. period.

 

15 Million dogs and cats end up in animal shelters each year in the U.S. 30% are purebreds. Only about 20% get adopted. That is over 1 million/month (over 21,000 each day) that have to be destroyed. When abandoned, they live a life of hunger, thirst, flea infestation, disease and injury, with no shelter from heat/cold/rain until they die. They die miserable, painful, lonely deaths.

Dogs are social animals and want to be part of a family, offering unconditional love and affection. They can feel fear, pain, and lonliness. We have domesticated them and now they are dependant on us to take care of them - they need us to be responsible owners. Animals should not be disposable objects to be cast aside when they are no longer convenient to have. Surry Animal Rescue receives 15-30 calls/day from people who have found stray animals and pet owners looking for new homes for their pets. The Animal Control/Shelter in Dobson receives hundreds of unwanted and abandoned pets each month - including many pure breds and entire litters of puppies and kittens. Chihauhau, beagles, labs, shepherds, jack russells, shit-zu, pit bulls, boxers, australian shepherds, - these and other purebreds all commonly seen in our own local shelter. You CAN make a difference by spaying/neutering yours pets!! Pet overpopulation is perpetuated one litter at a time….

Benefits of spaying and neutering your pets:

-eliminates cancer of the reproductive organs and reduces the risk of prostate problems in males

(especially if females are spayed before the first heat cycle)

-decreases the urge to roam (many diseases and injuries are obtained while roaming. 85% of male dogs hit by cars are not neutered. Sterilizing your dog can increase his life by 1-3 years, your cat by 3-5 years)

-helps them be more focused and affectionate

-reduces/eliminates spraying and marking

-reduces aggressiveness between male animals

 

Common Myths

MYTH: It's better to have one litter first.

FACT: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. Females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier.

MYTH: My children should experience the miracle of birth.

FACT: Even if children are able to see a pet give birth—which is unlikely, since it usually occurs at night and in seclusion—the lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be explained to children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others.

MYTH: I want my dog to be protective.

FACT: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.

MYTH: I don't want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male.

FACT: Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality.

MYTH: But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten) just like her.

FACT: A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring will inheret her good qualities.

MYTH: It's too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered.

FACT:It's a small price to pay compared to the cost of offspring, the health of your pet and the prevention of the births of more unwanted pets.

MYTH: I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.

FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet's litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. Also, in less than one year's time, each of your pet's offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population.