More than 12,000 animals are brought to the Montgomery Humane Society each year. Sadly, less than 40% of these animals are adopted. As a result, animals are needlessly euthanized. This pet overpopulation problem is not unique to Montgomery, Alabama, but rather exists across the United States.
Every day in the United States thousands upon thousands of puppies and kittens are born due to the uncontrolled breeding of pets. As a result, more than FOUR MILLION dogs and cats are euthanized in United States animal shelters every year. That number does not include the immeasurable number of stray animals that die on our roadways or at the hands of individuals. The only effective way to control this growing pet overpopulation problem is to spay and neuter all your pets.
It’s Good for you and your Pet. Beyond helping to curb the pet overpopulation problem, spaying and neutering your pets can drastically improve your pet’s health and life expectancy. Sterilized pets lead healthier, longer lives. Spaying a female eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancer and greatly eliminates the risk of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first heat cycle. Spaying a female also removes the mess and stress associated with a pet in heat to include incessant crying, display of nervous behavior, and attraction of unwanted male animals. Neutering a male reduces the risk of both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. Neutering will also make your pet more affectionate and less likely to roam, bite, fight, or become lost. Neutering male cats makes them less like to spray and mark territory.
It’s Good for your Community. Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted pets. It is expensive to collect, house, feed, provide veterinary attention, and euthanize unwanted animals. Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks, posing a threat to some of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities – our children and elderly residents.
For more information on why you should spay and neuter your pets, who performs spay and neuter procedures, and common myths visit the Alabama Animal Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic www.alabamaspayneuter.com.
