Emily Jernigan
11/24/15
English 101 - Paper #3
Spaying and Neutering
According to the American Humane Society, over 3.7 million adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized each year (“Spaying/Neutering”). By spaying and neutering pets, the number of homeless animals will decrease, the health and behavior of the animal will improve, and it will decrease the cost of pet care. Not only can th….. can help reduce overpopulation of homeless animals entering shelters each year. It can also benefit pet's health by increasing their lifespan, while decreasing chances for certain types of cancer.
Spaying and neutering is a simple and effective procedure. The purpose of spaying or neutering, also commonly referred to being “fixed” or ”altered,” is to be yours pets birth control. To spay a female animal, is to remove the reproductive organs so she is unable to get pregnant (“Spay/Neuter Services”). To neuter a male animal, is removing the testicles so he is unable to impregnate a female (“Spay/Neuter Services”). All surgeries are performed by experienced veterinarians, as this is a common procedure, under general anesthesia so the animals will not feel any pain. Some discomfort may be experienced after the surgery, but your veterinarian will provide directions on how to ease the pain for your pet.
Overpopulation has led overwhelming numbers of helpless animals to the streets to fend for themselves. Every year over 8 million homeless animals end up in shelters in the United States (“Why You Should Spay and Neuter”). Most of the animals entering these shelters are not “street” or wild dogs, but the animals we have named as our pets. Backyard breeders, puppy mills, and the lack of loving homes, has caused an estimated 3.7 million animals to be euthanized because of the lack of space in animal shelters (“Spaying/Neutering”). Spaying or neutering your pet will decrease the number of unplanned litters, therefore decreasing the number of puppies in search of loving homes. Reducing the number of accidental births will make more room in shelters. Animals saved from the streets and cruelty will have a chance at adoption and a home if more animals are spayed and neutered. Spaying and neutering is the only continual, “100 percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats” (“Why You Should Spay and Neuter”). Spaying and neuter is only one permanent solution to the large epidemic of homeless animals.
Another reason to spay and neuter your animals is to improve their health. According to The Humane Society of the United States, “neutered male dogs live 18% longer than un-neutered male dogs and spayed female dogs live 23% longer than unspayed female dogs” (“Why You Should Spay and Neuter”). Spaying not only increases the life of your loved pet, but lowers, and sometimes eliminates, the odds of breast cancer and threatening uterine infections in females (“Why Spay and Neuter”). Neutering your male companion can “lessen the risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland) and testicular cancer,” as well as prostate cancer (“Spaying and Neutering”). Not only will your household pets health improve, but their behavior will improve also. While most behavioral changes will affect males, spaying can eliminate “messy heat cycles in females” and attention from undesirable males (“Why Spay and Neuter”). Neutering males can reduce many unwanted tendencies, such as the natural urge to mate; this will result in a “less distracted, more easily trained, and a more contented member of your family” (“Why Spay and Neuter”). PAWS, a local non-profit organization, states “spraying, wailing, marking territory, or making inappropriate sexual approaches toward people or objects” can be eliminated or reduced by the procedure (“Why Spay and Neuter”). Spaying and neutering will benefit not only you by reducing frustrating natural urges, but will benefit your beloved pet's health.
When decided whether to spay or neuter your companion, it is import to keep in mind all the benefits offered with a one time cost. The ASPCA even acknowledges that “the cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter,” offering important and insight information (“Spay/Neuter Your Pet”). While the procedure can be expensive, depending on the size, weight, age, and gender of your pet, it should not be a major factor in your decision. There are many different options offered to spay and neuter your companion such as local shelters, mobile clinics, and veterinary clinics. A local non-profit organization, called PAWS, offers many locations including shelters in Lynnwood and Seattle, Washington. PAWS offers low-cost spay and neuter procedures to those who qualify, lowering the cost of a very beneficial surgery. Along with low-cost options PAWS organizes a community wide event in February, called “Spay Day” (“Why Spay and Neuter”). This event enables more options for people with low-incomes, as well as the ones who don’t. The large effort to create easier and more affordable ways to spay and neuter helps improve the community and spread the word on this important topic.
When it comes to provided the best for your animal friend, it's important to spay and neuter.
Works Cited
“Spaying and Neutering.” AVMA. 2015. 19 November 2015.
“Spaying/Neutering.” American Humane Association. 2013. 19 November 2015.
“Spay/Neuter Services.” PAWS. 2015. 21 November 2015.
“Spay/Neuter Your Pet.” ASPCA. 2015. 21 November 2015.
“Why Spay and Neuter.” PAWS. 2015. 19 November 2015.
“Why You Should Spay and Neuter.” The Humane Society of the United States. 24 August
2014. 19 November 2015.
No comments:
Post a Comment