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"WHY YOU SHOULD SPAY / NEUTER YOUR CAT"
Information provided by:
Gail Price
Founder, Dumpster Cats
(302) 834-2859
dumpstrcat@aol.com
THE ETHICS OF THE SITUATION...
There are more than 60 million homeless cats in the United States
right now. Tiny kittens are found in dumpsters, junkyards, on the side of
the road, and in the woods. These suffering, homeless little kittens would
not be alone in the world, cold and hungry right now, if only some pet
owners had taken the time to fix their cats. But because people didn't
have the money, the time, or the brains to get their cats neutered or
spayed -- too many kittens were born into the world with not enough homes
to provide for them. If only people would fix their pets. It would take so
very little to ease so much suffering.
There are lots of dedicated people trying to help with this overpopulation
problem. They try to find owners for homeless cats, and work to raise
money to spay and neuter cats who are over breeding and creating kittens
with no place to go. But these volunteers' work depends on their ability
to raise money and to find homes for these kittens. Irresponsible pet
owners go on allowing their cats to have babies, taking up space in homes
that could have been used for cats who are already homeless. If you don't
get your cat fixed and she gets out to mate, it takes only one time to
produce up to 9 kittens! What would you do with them? Could you
take care of them yourself? Would you be able to find homes for them all?
Even if you DID place them into homes, would they be safe there? And could
you live with yourself knowing that by finding 9 homes for your kittens,
you have denied shelter kittens a chance at a home and 9 will be put to
death in their place???
For the sake of homeless animals everywhere, PLEASE -- don't be
selfish. Think about their welfare, and the welfare of your own cat. Spay
or neuter your pet today. When you allow your animal to have babies, you
are directly causing other stray animals to die, without ever getting a
chance for a home. Think about it. The consequences of your actions
determine whether many tiny kittens are put to death, or have a short life
or homelessness and starvation. Honor your cat, and the lives of homeless
cats everywhere -- get your pet fixed!
IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT HOMELESS CATS,
AT LEAST THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN CAT'S HEALTH...
Make no mistake: if your cat is not fixed, it is suffering!!! Pets that
have been spayed or neutered live many years longer than those who are not
fixed. After your cat is fixed, it is less at risk for certain diseases
and many types of cancers as well. Plus, if your female cat isn't spayed,
she can get pregnant, and having babies will put her at risk for many
things that can go wrong in pregnancy and delivery. And even with healthy
babies, the cat that has multiple litters in her lifetime almost always
die at a younger age than cats who are spayed.
Female cats can go into heat as often as every two weeks! And when
they are in heat, they are tormented by the urge to mate, and will do
anything to satisfy the urge. They are unhappy and may become bitter and
unsocial towards others in your household. So even if you keep your
un-spayed female cat indoors, she is still hurting. You may think your cat
is a 100% indoor cat, but they have been known to break through screens,
make fast escapes when people go through the door, even jump out of high
open windows -- just to go look for a mate. If somehow you are lucky
enough to find ways to defeat all her escape tricks, she still will be
frustrated inside the house and continue suffering without satisfaction.
Anyone who allows their cat to suffer this way is abusing the pet that
they CLAIM to love!
Cats who do get out to find a mate are exposed to all kinds of feline
diseases. If your cat is fixed, it will not have the urge to leave the
house for sex, and has a better chance of surviving indoors. Every cat
that your cats mates with has the potential of spreading feline leukemia,
rabies, feline herpes, infectious peritonitis, and feline AIDS. (Not to
mention the lesser evils, such as fleas, ticks, and worms!) Even if your
cat is up to date on all its shots, vaccines are only 80% effective
against contagious diseases.
THE LOGIC OF FIXING YOUR PET
Some people are afraid that their cat's personality will change if they
are neutered or spayed. This is simply not true! Fixing your pet will KEEP
IT FROM CHANGING!!! Growing up and reaching maturity causes changes in all
living creatures. The desire to mate causes your cat to care less for you
and not be so affectionate; instead of playful, they become moody. Spaying
or neutering your cat will allow it to remain a happy, carefree kitten for
as long as it lives!
No matter your cat's gender, you need to get it fixed. Male cats, unlike
females with a cycle, are ready and desiring to mate at any time.
They will do anything to get to a female in heat, including tear up your
house and make attempts at dangerous escapes. But the biggest reason for
neutering a male cat, aside from population control, is that fixing him
will keep him from spraying! You can learn more about the spraying
behavior by
reading this article. Once a male cat reaches maturity, he will begin
spraying around the house, whether he finds a mate or not. (If you have
not experienced a cat's spray before, it is a horrible sight and smell,
like powerful rotten urination that stains and has an odor that is
impossible to get rid of once it gets on clothing, bed sheets, furniture,
or whatever is around that your cat chooses to make his mark on!) If you
wait until your young male cat begins to spray before you get him fixed,
then it may be too late. He may never stop! BUT, if you neuter him before
he completely matures, he should never start spraying because he will
never have had the urge to do so. Fixing him early will keep him from
starting bad habits.
You can save the lives of so many needy animals by simply fixing your own
pet. Why wouldn't you? There is NO REASON not to. If you think of
one, perhaps you should
read our other article, "Lame Excuses For Not Fixing Your Pet". And if
you can't afford it, there are many
discounted spay / neuter programs, and even some vets who will do it
for free! Please fix your pet. It's the right thing to do
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