In early August 2004 the Watauga Humane Society shelter’s waiting list included 34 entire litters of kittens. Spay Day Humane Society Battles Animal Overpopulation Epidemic Special to “The Mountain Times” Puppy and kitten season is rapidly approaching – the time of year when shelters are flooded with more puppies and kittens than they can house. For every person born, 15 dogs and 45 cats are also born, thus only one in nine cats and dogs born in the United States will find homes. As a result, animals are taken to animal control or the humane society, abandoned, taken to remote areas and dumped or euthanized because there are no homes for them. That’s why humane societies and animal shelters across the nation are promoting Tuesday, Feb. 22 as Spay Day USA. Spay Day USA is the Doris Day Animal Foundation’s national campaign to raise awareness and have pet owners take an active role in controlling pet overpopulation. “The only way to reduce the pet population problem is to spay and neuter. That is the true animal control,” said Elizabeth Bookout, Watauga Humane Society Shelter assistant manager. The shelter’s manager, Lynn Northup, said she longs for the day when every pet has a good home. “I have a goal of Watauga County being a ‘No More Homeless Pets’ community,” she said. Watauga County Animal Control Officer Anita Gomez said the only thing that will ever make a dent in the pet overpopulation problem is responsible pet ownership. “That includes spaying and neutering,” Gomez said. The Humane Society of the United States includes the following quote on its website: “Every cat or dog who dies as a result of pet overpopulation – whether humanely in a shelter or by injury, disease or neglect – is an animal who, more often than not, would have made a wonderful companion if given the chance. “Tremendous as the problem of pet overpopulation is, it can be solved if each of us takes just one small step, starting with not allowing our pets to breed.” Taking that step locally could cost pet owners less this month because some local veterinarians are offering reduced prices on spaying and neutering during February. The Watauga Humane Society also offers a reduced-cost spaying and neutering program weekly, and it provides financial assistance to owners who can’t otherwise afford the surgery for their animals. In early August 2004 the Watauga Humane Society shelter’s waiting list included five litters of puppies. The humane society’s spay/neuter prices include $50 for dogs, $45 for female cats and $30 for male cats. Rabies and other vaccines are available with surgery for $7. For more information about spaying and neutering call the humane society at (828) 264-7865. Benefits of Spaying and Neutering In addition to reducing the number of unwanted animals, spaying and neutering can improve an animal’s health, increase its life expectancy and improve its behavior, according to the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Sterilizing reduces a pet’s urge to roam, which decreases the risk of it running away, getting into fights or getting hit by a car. It can eliminate or reduce the incidence of several serious health problems that can be difficult or expensive to treat. Neutered pets also tend to be more gentle and affectionate, less interested in other animals and more focused on their family. The ASPCA said that a sterilized dog or cat lives an average of two to three years longer than an unsterilized one. It also said that strays rarely survive more than a few years on their own and that they often die painfully. Surveys indicate that as many as 80 percent of dogs hit by cars are unaltered. Communities also benefit when pets are spayed or neutered. Strays and abandoned companion animals that live on the street can become a public nuisance by getting into trash containers, soiling parks and sidewalks, creating noise and other disturbances, causing automobile accidents and even killing wildlife, livestock or other pets. Then there’s the financial aspect of not sterilizing pets. SpayUSA writes that nationwide, the humane capture, sheltering, investigation of animal cruelty and eventual euthanasia of unwanted animals costs taxpayers and private agencies more than a billion dollars each year. In Watauga County, Animal Control took in 1,199 animals in 2004. Its annual budget is $155,743. The Watauga Humane Society is a no-kill shelter that takes in only the number of animals is has room to shelter, but the demand often exceeds the space available. In early August 2004 the waiting list included 34 entire litters of kittens, 58 adult cats, 35 dogs and 5 litters of puppies. In 2004 the humane society took in 1,033 animals. Dispelling Myths The ASPCA, the Humane Society of the United States, SpayUSA, PETsMART and other animal-protection groups provide information that debunks several myths that keep some owners from sterilizing their pets. The facts are that: * Sterilization won’t make a pet fat and lazy, but overfeeding and lack of exercise will. * A kitten or puppy doesn’t have to be 1 year old. Current thinking is that kittens and puppies can be sterilized as young as 2 months if they weigh a minimum of 2 pounds. Check with a veterinarian about the appropriate time for sterilization. *A female puppy or kitten doesn’t have to have a litter before she is spayed. Evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier, and every heat cycle increases a pet’s chance of breast cancer. * Mother cats can become pregnant while nursing. A mother can be spayed when the kittens are weaned (8 weeks for kittens). * A pet’s behavior may change – but for the better. The pet will be less aggressive and less likely to bite, fight, roam or spray urine to mark territory inside the house and in the yard. Also, Romeos will be less likely to hang around your yard. Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog’s natural instinct to protect home and family. * A male pet won’t feel less manly or suffer any kind of emotional reaction when neutered, and it won’t affect his appearance or performance as a hunting dog or watchdog. It may even make him easier to train. * It is necessary to neuter male pets, even though they aren’t the ones giving birth. Females can’t do it alone. * The surgery isn’t highly risky. Although there is always a slight risk, spay/neuter is the most common surgery, and the pet will usually resume normal activity with just a day or two of home care. A veterinarian can explain the risks and describe the after-care a pet will need. * It isn’t too expensive. Spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost, yet it’s a life-time investment in a pet that can solve a number of problems for owners, their pets and a society already burdened with too many homeless dogs and cats. It’s also a bargain compared to the cost of ensuring a healthy litter and sterilizing even more pets than when you started out. * Everyone who has ever tried to find homes for a litter of puppies or kittens knows that it is easier said than done. Even if homes are found, that is one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. If one cant find homes for them, those kittens or puppies may end up in a shelter. * There are currently no reliable alternatives to spaying or neutering. The only other way to prevent mating is to confine a pet during its fertile periods. This is a tremendous family responsibility and does nothing to eliminate health and behavioral problems such as spotting and spraying, or susceptibility to diseases like cancer. Even responsible pet owners who did plan to spay or neuter their pets have ended up with unwanted and accidental litters because they delayed the surgery.