In Class Rough Draft Editing

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.

Paper #3 Outline

Thesis: I believe that spaying and neutering your pets will benefit your pet’s health, behavior and community.

Point One: Reduce the number of homeless pets killed

·       In the U.S., there are an estimated 6 - 8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year. (humanesociety.org)

• The animals on the street are not “street” dogs, but dogs we have bread
• Nationwide more than 3.7 million healthy, adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters annually. (americanhumane.org)
• Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100 percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats. (humanesociety.org)

Point Two: Improve your pet's health

• Extend the life of your pet. Neutered male dogs live 18% longer than un-neutered male dogs and spayed female dogs live 23% longer than unspayed female dogs. (humanesociety.org)
• Male pets that are neutered eliminate their chances of getting testicular cancer, and it is thought they have lowered rates of prostate cancer. (avma.org)
• The odds of breast cancer and dangerous uterine infections in females and prostate problems. (paws.org)
• Neutering your male pet can also lessen its risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland) and testicular cancer. (avma.org)

·       Messy heat cycles in females and attracting unwanted males. (paws.org)

Point Three: Reduce unruly behavior

·       Frustration in resisting the natural urge to mate. Your companion will be less distracted, more easily trained, and a more contented member of your family. (paws.org)

·       The animal's need to roam in search of a mate, decreasing the chances that your pet will become lost, get into fights with other animals or be hit by a car. (paws.org)

·       The tendency to bite. However, your pet will still be protective of his home and family even after being altered. Aggression is different from protectiveness. (paws.org)

·       Spraying, wailing, marking territory, or making inappropriate sexual approaches toward people or objects. (paws.org)

Point Four: Save on the cost of pet care - Spaying/Neutering doesn’t cost much

·       The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. (aspca.org)

·       PAWS offers low-cost spay or neuter surgeries. (paws.org)

·       Low cost clinics in your area. (paws.org)

• Every February PAWS organizes a community-wide Spay Day where a number of veterinary clinics lower their fees to promote spaying and neutering. On Spay Day there are many options for people who do not qualify as low-income, as well as options for low-income individuals. (paws.org)

Conclusion:

Spriggs vs. Others

Similarities between texts:

• All took a stance/position on something
• Articles used facts and statistics to illustrate their point

• Facts cannot be argued with

• All acknowledge the opposition
• All texts provide crucial background information

• Most refute the counter arguments (show why they are wrong)
• All illustrate the main points in a very clear and direct manner
• Writings appeal to readers through Ethos, Pathos, Logos
• Most have quotes from a reputable source/person
• All use an authoritative tone

Differences between texts:

• Some have first person language, others do not
• Some have pictures/illustrations, others do not

• Pictures have captions

• Some have quotes directly from people, others quote sources or other persons writing

Spriggs #1-4

1. Spriggs advocates for buying locally, which is something I already agree with. She uses important statistics and first hand accounts of why buying locally is important, and why not doing so is harmful. She addresses the beneficial aspects buying locally fosters, such as supporting local economy and ecological ideals.
2. Spriggs considers many other positions other than her own to strengthen her cause. The first opposing view she addresses is from Alex Avery, he states that we should “buy locally from the world region where it grows best,” arguing that it is a waste of “time and energy” to grow crops where they would not be able to grow. Spriggs refutes this argument but comments on it is still important to buy as much as possible locally. She also addresses environmental misconceptions and positive global effects buying locally offers.
3. I think the first hand account of of the Lermio family is very persuasive. Spriggs provides  appropriate background information and explains why the topic matters. But the first hand account appeals more the reader values and emotions. WE learn that smaller farms are falling behind and it is causing negative effects.
4. The photos in Spriggs essay bring an insightful view into the message she is trying to convey. The photos break up the text into sections, and support the message in the passages near it.

Analyze a Short Piece of Writing

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/why_spay_neuter.html

Developing My Argument

1. I believe everyone should spay or neuter their pets. It would reduce the number of homeless animals, improve your pet's health, reduce unruly behavior, and you save on the costs of pet care.
2. I am writing to pet owners, future pet owners, and the community as a whole!
3. People will feel sad that there is so many homeless animals, that lots of animals are killed each year, and there is something they can do to change that.
4. They should believe me because I am knowledgeable of the topic, and I will show that this will affect them too.
5. Reduce the number of homeless animals, improve your pet's health, reduce unruly behavior, you save on the costs of pet care, the procedure isn’t that expensive.
6. It costs too much money, it will change my pet's personality, etc.
7. There is many options as to paying for the procedure, low cost clinics, and even a free spay and neuter day a local shelter offers. The surgery will not change your pet's personality, just stop unruly behavior.
8. Puppies and kittens are so cute!
9. Fixing your pet will prevent the number homeless pets. It will lower the number of pets euthanized each year. Reduce the number of unwanted animals.
10. Animals will benefit the most! The community will be safer from aggressive homeless dogs, children, etc.

Homework Response

One of us wrote about about the drunk driving, and two of us watched the texting while driving video. Both of our summaries were quite similar in that they both featured a personal account of a tragic accident that resulted of these two types of mistakes. They both had dramatic slow piano music, teary eyed interviewees, and dramatic texts. Both stories follow several stories, both talking about the victims, and the effects that this accident had on the families. For example, in the drinking and driving video, the parents of the deceased had a hard time after, but they worked to create an organization to help intoxicated kids. They both use pathos (emotion) as the most effective piece in each video. The sad music, and stories from victims is really sad, and is a strong persuasive tool for the viewer. It also uses ethos (ethics) to show logically what could happen to you if you drink and drive, or if you text and drive. The videos still have a big shock value showing real videos and pictures from the accidents, while avoiding any gory scenes. Even without the gore, the messages are very persuasive.