Is your pet altered?

[kathryn]

Hello all! I've been an on and off member for a few years now. Currently I spend my days helping out in an animal shelter and found my passion- working in the surgical clinic!

--possibly sensitive material but nothing graphic! promise!--

I am here today to ask a question that probably won't be a big deal for most of you, but is something that really bothers me. Since working with shelters I've become more and more involved in things that go on 'behind the scenes'.. at first I just liked to play with the cuddly kittens and the fluffy bunnies.. but now I've sort of gone to the 'dark side' and have dealt with first hand alot of death. I've worked with puppy mill dogs rescued from their abusive pasts.. I've dealt with hoarding situations. I've seen dogs that were fought.

All and all it sort of lead me to become very proactive about getting animals fixed to prevent more animals from meeting similar fates.



So, are your pets fixed? Why or why not?

Additional questions-

Are you aware that in the US alone over 5 million animals are euthanized in shelters due to lack of space? (This statistic is similar in other places as well such as Canada and the UK. )

Did you know some statistics state that for every human born roughly 20 dogs and 40 cats are born?

Have you ever heard of the use of gas chambers as euthanasia in shelters?


Since many of you are located around the world, I'd really like to hear from you as well.

[Loving Linux Penguin]

Gas chambers? In shelters

Wouldn't a lethal injection to put them to sleep be more...humane?

[Sidhe.]

I have a female cat, female dog, and male cat, all 'altered' (as you put it).

Like you, I feel strongly about this issue. The number of animals put to sleep each year is upsetting and disappointing, and I wish more people took action against it. Our pets are all altered because a) not one of them is purebred or with papers or anything, b) we don't know the first thing about breeding cats or dogs, c) we know we don't have the time or space for puppies or kittens, d) we don't want to add to the unwanted pet population.

"Are you aware that in the US alone over 5 million animals are euthanized in shelters due to lack of space? (This statistic is similar in other places as well such as Canada and the UK. )"
I knew the figure was high, but I didn't know it was quite that high.

"Did you know some statistics state that for every human born roughly 20 dogs and 40 cats are born?"
I'd heard that before. It's so sad.

"Have you ever heard of the use of gas chambers as euthanasia in shelters?"
Yes, unfortunately, I've heard of that happening.

[Power Cosmic]

Stupid question: what do you mean by altered? Do you mean spayed or neutered, aye?

[TheBabyEater]

I can honestly say I've never heard the term Altered but... I assume you mean spayed/neutered or fixed

I think you should change the poll if possible to make it so you can enter in more than one choice, seeing as I have a crapload of pets. Two cats, both female, both spayed, and two dogs, one girl one boy, and both fixed.

I think everyone should get their pets spayed and neutered... While I love puppies, we really don't need any more in the world, just like humans. lol Not to mention a lot of people don't know how to care for newborn puppies and that just turns out to be a big mess. There are too many shelter pets to adopt.

And yeah, I'm not sure I remember when and where I found out the information, but I already knew the main idea of it.

[kathryn]

Originally Posted by Quintessence

Stupid question: what do you mean by altered? Do you mean spayed or neutered, aye?

Yes that is what we use as a general term around here that is more formal than fixed.

If anyone can adjust the poll to make it to allow more than one option that would be great. I tried to do it myself while making it but I guess I did it wrong!

Regarding the use of gas chambers.. sadly yes they are used and are exactly what they sound like. Many states do not have any regulations regarding how animals in shelters are killed, so some places still use gas chambers with carbon monoxide. There are other methods that are also inhumane that are still in use.. but don't want to get TOO much into it and be advised you likely don't want to google any of it either.


The 4-5 million statistic is a low ball park estimate. Overall shelters usually put to sleep roughly 70% of the animals they receive. Of course this can fluctuate alot.. the county shelter near me only puts to sleep about 25% of the animals they take in. But, a few towns over another shelter puts to sleep over 80% of kitties they get in

[Penguin Queen]

I've got 2 dogs- a girl and a boy, and they have both been "done". Firstly for the reasons you said, also because we didn't want them to have a nasty temprament (some male dogs who haven't can be aggressive). We also didn't want to have to deal with puppies, and the blood from being in season, just no!

[Sidhe.]

Originally Posted by Penguin Queen

We also didn't want to have to deal with puppies, and the blood from being in season, just no!

My dog came into heat before she'd had her operation, so we had to deal with that. It was not pleasant.

[ShimmeringFaerie]

I got my kittens (a boy and a girl) from an RSPCA shelter, so they came desexed. The vet says that they desex them too early at the RSPCA, but there weren't any complications and I suppose it's better than the alternative.

When my boyfriend and I decided to get cats, his mother insisted that you should let female cats have a litter before you desex them because otherwise they are aggressive and what-not, and thank heavens I listened to my mother instead, because it's complete rubbish. My girl cat is perfectly well-behaved and doesn't bite or anything (unlike her brother :P).

[kathryn]

Originally Posted by ShimmeringFaerie

I got my kittens (a boy and a girl) from an RSPCA shelter, so they came desexed. The vet says that they desex them too early at the RSPCA, but there weren't any complications and I suppose it's better than the alternative.

When my boyfriend and I decided to get cats, his mother insisted that you should let female cats have a litter before you desex them because otherwise they are aggressive and what-not, and thank heavens I listened to my mother instead, because it's complete rubbish. My girl cat is perfectly well-behaved and doesn't bite or anything (unlike her brother :P).

We do them at 2 months 2 pounds. It is better to do it younger as they bounce back so quickly! With the kittens especially the incision is almost microscopic in a sense.. compared to if they were 6 months old as most vets prefer and being 4 times as big.. then the incision is of course, much bigger! Sort of like if you had a minor medical problem like a hernia or something, wouldn't it be much better to have it corrected as an infant instead of having it done when you are 12 years old?



And for having them have a litter.. I'd have to say 100% it would be the opposite My female cat who had a litter when I found her is quite aggressive. I have 2 of her now adult kittens still living with me and I'm sure she would be glad to see them go. I notice it too with many adult female cats who are ex-moms at the shelter.. they tend to be crankier than the cats who've never had babies.

Hehe, it'd be like saying the same thing for humans.. who is crankier? The single woman in her 20's or the run down over worked mom?

[MadPoet]

I have a male dog, and he isn't fixed. I don't really see the need for it, since there's basically no chance that he will get a dog pregnant, seeing as there aren't any female dogs around. Plus, I feel so cruel allowing that to be done to him. It just seems so mean when I think about it, I would feel so bad.

[Imagine]

I have 2 rottweilers and they are not.
We're breeding them to make money.

[glittermist]

I have a rabbit, she's spayed. I used to have a cat and he was neutered.
Personally, if you don't plan on allowing pets to breed, it's so much more beneficial to get them fixed cause it's cruel to allow them to become prone to such diseases which could be prevented.

[Melody Pond]

My dog is. We got her from a rescue centre and she was when we got her, I think the shelter did it.

[Toast]

Hey it's you again! I missed you.

I have a female dog and she is spayed. I agree with you that senseless breeding is a problem. I got my dog from some people on a farm and she's a lab/springer spaniel cross. I don't think they're breeders and it seems like this may have been some of those people who just let their dogs breed, which annoys me. I love my dog, but it's usually cross-breeds that end up in shelters. The other thing that drives me crazy is people who don't get their male dogs neutered and then let them run wild. There's countless stories of responsible people/breeders who had their female dog get pregnant because someone let their dog get into their yard. It's sad, really.

I really wouldn't want to deal with my dog being in heat anyway Not to mention we take her to the dog park and sometimes people there are irresponsible and don't even keep an eye on their dog. I remember once another lady and I had to chase off a dog because it kept trying to mount our dogs and its owner was nowhere in sight. Fortunately my dog is spayed, as I said, but if she wasn't... I don't think that other dog was.

[kathryn]

Originally Posted by NightOfNyx

I have a male dog, and he isn't fixed. I don't really see the need for it, since there's basically no chance that he will get a dog pregnant, seeing as there aren't any female dogs around. Plus, I feel so cruel allowing that to be done to him. It just seems so mean when I think about it, I would feel so bad.

Have you ever heard the majority of dogs hit by cars are unneutered males? Male dogs can smell a female in heat from quite a ways away. I've seen it happen first hand where unaltered dogs have jumped fences to go chase after a potential mate only to either end up getting hit by are car or thankfully sometimes nice people will stop to grab the dog.

Why would you say it is cruel? Do you think your dog is going to wake up and go 'OH MY GAWD WHERE DID MY BALLS GO?' They don't care! It is much healthier for them anyways. The risked of prostate cancer is significantly increased in male dogs that aren't fixed, and prostate and other male related diseases, cancers and tumors are also significantly increased.

Would you feel worse about having him altered by a caring veterinarian under general anesthesia or having him hit by a car or dying of testicular cancer? (an honest question to ponder!)

Originally Posted by Angelina.

I have 2 rottweilers and they are not.
We're breeding them to make money.

Can I ask why? What are your qualifications as a breeder? Have they all been checked for heart conditions and bone conditions? They should have their x-rays done prior to breeding to ensure neither one are predisposed to hip displaysia.

This one hits close to home as well. Someone bought my a rottie puppies when I was about 5 years old. We had to put her to sleep when she was barely 7 years old. Her breeders only bred strictly for money and she was born with bad hips. She had a total hip replacement by the time she was 5. We spent thousands of dollars and she had numerous surgeries and physically therapies but nothing helped. So, in the end I was 12 years old or so and had to have my dog die in my arms due to someone just out to make money.


Also, another reason I ask for rotties is as you can understand, when they end up in shelters they are at the top of the list to be euthanized. Large dark colored dogs are the LAST to ever find homes.. if they even make it into the adoption room. Why would someone adopt a big ol' rottie when they can get a cute lil poodle?


Just general questions I have. I am of course, very passionate about what I do, but I sort of wanted to reach out to various people throughout the world to see what their take of these things are. Thanks to anyone who can take the time to work with me! Just today I helped out with a low cost spay/neuter clinic and we fixed a grand total if 115 kitties... JUST IN MY COUNTY ALONE!! And we do this clinic EVERY MONTH with between 100 and 150 kitties PER clinic! This is just ONE county in new jersey. If that doesn't put it into perspective, I'm not sure what will.



-Source

http://www.avma.org/animal_health/br...r_brochure.asp