Spay and Neuter - City of Wichita

MYTH: It's too expensive to have my petspayed or neutered.FACT: The cost of spaying or neuteringdepends on the sex, size, and age of the pet,your veterinarian's fees, and a number of othervariables. But whatever the actual price, spayor neuter surgery is a one-time cost, arelatively small cost when compared to all thebenefits. It's a bargain compared to the cost ofhaving a litter and ensuring the health of themother and litter; two months of pregnancy andanother two months until the litter is weanedcan add up to significant veterinary bills andfood costs if complications develop. Mostimportantly, it's a very small price to pay for thehealth of your pet and the prevention of thebirths of more unwanted pets.MYTH: I'll find good homes for all the puppiesand kittens.FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet'slitter. But each home you find means one lesshome for the dogs and cats in shelters thatneed good homes. Also, in lessthan one year's time, each of your pet'soffspring may have his or her own litter, addingeven more animals to the population. Theproblem of pet over-population is created andperpetuated one litter at a time.Animal Shelter Statistics2007 - 2010 AveragesAverage # Transfers 2,161Average # Owner Reclaims 1,575Average # Euthanasia 6,436Average # Impounds 10,172This Means:- 16% of animals are reclaimed bytheir owner- 21% are transferred to the KansasHumane Society or Rescue foradoption- 63% are euthanized.If pet owners would placeidentification tags on their pets andspay or neuter them we coulddecrease the number of animalseuthanized.Too Many PetsToo Few Good HomesPlease Spay & NeuterYour PetsPortions of this brochure were reprinted with thepermission of the Humane Society of the United StateTHE CITY OF WICHITAPOLICE DEPARTMENTANIMAL CONTROL SECTIONToo Many PetsToo Few GoodHomesWhy You ShouldSpay or Neuter Your PetsAndMyths and FactsAbout Spaying & NeuteringT103-204 (REV. 06/06)www.wichita.govAnimal Control Section3303 North Hillside StreetWichita, Kansas 67219316-350-3360316-350-3372(fax)Serving the Public, Protecting the Animals

WHY YOU SHOULD SPAY ORNEUTER YOUR PETWhat do “spay” and “neuter” really mean?Female dogs and cats are spayed by removingtheir reproductive organs, and male dogs andcats are neutered by removing their testicles.In both cases the operation is performed whilethe pet is under anesthesia. Depending onyour pet's age, size, and health, he or she willstay at your veterinarian's office for a few hoursor a few days. Depending upon the procedure,your pet may need stitches removed after afew days. Your veterinarian can fully explainspay and neuter procedures to you anddiscuss with you the best age at which tosterilize your pet.Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet• Spaying and neutering helps dogs and catslive longer, healthier lives.• Spaying and neutering can eliminate orreduce the incidence of a number of healthproblems that can be very difficult orexpensive to treat.• Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterineor ovarian cancer and greatly reduces theincidence of breast cancer, particularlywhen your pet is spayed before her firstestrous cycle.• Neutering eliminates testicular cancer anddecreases the incidence of prostatedisease.Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You• Spaying and neutering makes pets better,more affectionate companions.• Neutering cats makes them less likely tospray and mark territory.• Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heatcycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12days, often twice a year, in dogs and anaverage of six to seven days, three or moretimes a year, in cats. Females in heat cancry incessantly, show nervous behavior,and attract unwanted male animals.• Un-sterilized animals often exhibit morebehavior and temperament problems thando those who have been spayed orneutered.• Spaying and neutering can make pets lesslikely to bite.• Neutering makes pets less likely to roamthe neighborhood, run away, or get intofights.Spaying and Neutering Are Good for theCommunity• Communities spend millions of dollars tocontrol unwanted animals.• Irresponsible breeding contributes to theproblem of dog bites and attacks.• Animal shelters are overburdened withsurplus animals.• Stray pets and homeless animals get intotrash containers, defecate in public areasor on private lawns, and frighten or angerpeople who have no understanding of theirmisery or needs.• Some stray animals also scare away or killbirds and wildlife.Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-timecost that is relatively small when oneconsiders its benefits. It's a small price topay for the health of your pet and theprevention of more unwanted animals.MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUTSPAYING & NEUTERINGMYTH: My pet will get fat and lazy.FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat andlazy because their owners feed them too muchand don't give them enough exercise.MYTH: It's better to have one litter first.FACT: Medical evidence indicates just theopposite. In fact, the evidence shows thatfemales spayed before their first heat aretypically healthier. Many veterinarians nowsterilize dogs and cats as young as eightweeks of age. Check with your veterinarianabout the appropriate time for theseprocedures.MYTH: My children should experience themiracle of birth.FACT: Even if children are able to see a petgive birth, which is unlikely, since it usuallyoccurs at night and in seclusion, the lessonthey will really learn is that animals can becreated and discarded as it suits adults.Instead, it should be explained to children thatthe real miracle is life and that preventing thebirth of some pets can save the lives of others.MYTH: But my pet is a purebred.FACT: So is at least one out of every four petsbrought to animal shelters around the country!There are just too many dogs and cats—mixedbreed and purebred.MYTH: I want my dog to be protective.FACT: Spaying or neutering does not affect adog's natural instinct to protect home andfamily. A dog's personality is formed more bygenetics and environment than by sexhormones.MYTH: I don't want my male dog or cat to feellike less of a male.FACT: Pets don't have any concept of sexualidentity or ego. Neutering will not change apet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer anykind of emotional reaction or identity crisiswhen neutered.MYTH: But my dog (or cat) is so special, I wanta puppy (or kitten) just like her.FACT: A dog or cat may be a great pet, butthat doesn't mean her offspring will be acarbon copy. Professional animal breederswho follow generations of bloodlines can'tguarantee they will get just what they want outof a particular litter. A pet owner's chances areeven slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of puppiesor kittens might receive all of a pet's (and hermate's) worst characteristics.