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Spaying and Neutering The Myths And The Facts On Spaying And Neutering by Dr. Miyo Kim Dog and cat over population is a serious matter, which deserves everyone's attention. Each year more than eight million puppies, kittens, dogs and cats are put to death in shelters across the country because there aren't enough homes for them all. Surgical sterilization is the best way to help resolve the dog and cat overpopulation problem. Females are spayed and males are neutered. Before you allow your dog or cat to breed, consider the facts. Get the Facts! Myth: "We're going to let her have one litter. It'll make her a better pet." Fact: There is no medical evidence to support this common misconception. In fact, dogs and cats who are spayed before their first 'heat' are often less skittish, more attentive, tend to fight less, and are generally healthier than those who are unspayed. Myth: "We always find homes for the litters." Fact: This must never go unchallenged. Young animals, already homeless, wait in shelters for the few good homes available. Three out of ten will be placed. Myth: "I can't afford the surgery." Fact: Something the owner should have thought about before obtaining a pet but there is assistance available (call 877-3616 for financial help). The truth is, having an unaltered pet on a low budget is asking for financial crisis from potential diseases, injuries (intact pets are more likely to escape, fight and roam loose), even birth complications. Myth: "It'll take away all their fun." Fact: Perhaps the most widespread and groundless argument. Dogs and cats don't look at sex the way we do (no candlelit dinners and foreplay-just an instinct to breed that is virtually eliminated by spaying and neutering) and they don't miss the experience. Myth: "I want my dog to be protective." Fact: The potential to protect or guard property is a personality trait that is either present or not. Spaying or neutering will not change your dog's personality. In fact if they are spayed or neutered, they are more likely to stay at home and they certainly can't protect your property if they are wandering around looking for females in heat. Myth: "They'll just get fat and lazy." Fact: Only overeating and too little exercise cause obesity. The desire to play will always exist; the responsibility to fulfill that desire lies with the owner. Myth: "I want my children to learn about the miracle of birth." Fact: The miracle of birth becomes a tragic waste of life for thousands of unwanted pets on Maui each year. Keiki should instead be taught about the realities of overpopulation and the responsibilities involved in pet ownership-including taking responsibility for their reproductive potential. Myth: "Males don't give birth, so we don't need to neuter them." Fact: Ever hear of the old saying "it takes two to tango?" And while a female can only have one litter at a time, male animals can impregnate many females a day. Myth: "It's not natural." Fact: Neither is killing them. Which would you prefer? Companion dogs and cats are bred by human beings for human companionship. We breed these defenseless creatures and then kill millions of them each year-this is unnatural. Spaying and neutering is the humane solution. Myth: " Spayed and neutered dogs and cats are less healthy." Fact: There are actually many medical reasons for spaying and neutering your pets: Spaying a dog before her first heat virtually eliminates the chance of breast cancer. Middle aged female dogs are susceptible to pyometra, a uterine infection which is fatal if left untreated. The treatment of choice is an emergency spay which carries a much higher surgical risk. Spaying your dog at a young age eliminates the chance of getting this disease. Neutering your dog at a young age can significantly reduces the incidence of prostate disease, prostate cancer, and perineal hernias; conditions that are predominately found in un-neutered male dogs. Animals that are out roaming and breeding are more likely to be exposed to infectious diseases. Un-neutered male cats have a strong urge to roam and fight. Frequent abscesses or infections from bite wounds are a common occurrence. Neutering him will keep him healthier and closer to home. Neutered male cats live an average of 2 years longer than those who are intact. Myth: "My dog or cat's personality will change for the worse after surgery." Fact: Just the opposite is true. Dogs and cats that have been sterilized are less likely to roam, they bond more closely with their human guardians, and they have fewer undesirable habits like fighting and spraying urine. Un-neutered male cats have a very strong odor to their urine, neutering them reduces this offensive smell. The reality is this: 1 female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in 7 years 1 female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in 6 years An estimated 6-8 million pets are euthanized in shelters each year (over 6,200 on Maui alone last year). Millions more are abandoned, suffering from illness, injury or starvation before dying. It costs US taxpayers an estimated $2 billion each year to round up, house, euthanize and dispose of homeless pets. If you can convince even one person to spay or neuter their pet, then you will have helped make a difference for the thousands of homeless pets here on Maui. Be part of the solution, not the problem.