5 Reasons to Spay/Neuter

Can you imagine continually being bred and giving birth to litters… over and over and over?

It’s a horrible life for a dog or cat, and the puppies and kittens find themselves in a similar position - if they even survive. Unfortunately, when animals aren’t altered before leaving the shelter many are in this situation.

The Douglas County Humane Society’s Spay/Neuter Program exists specifically to help ensure that no dog or cat leaves Douglas County Animal Services without first being altered. The program also serves Douglas County, GA, residents with low cost spay/neuter funding assistance if their pets aren’t yet altered.

Why Spay or Neuter?

• Healthier females: According to the ASPCA, spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors in both dogs and cats.

• Healthier males: The ASPCA also notes that a neutered male is less likely to develop testicular cancer or prostate problems.

• Longer lives for all: Studies at both the University of GA and Banfield Pet Hospitals note that neutered males live almost 14% longer than unaltered ones! Both dogs and cats benefit from neutering. Altered female dogs live an average of 23% longer. The increased life span is even more pronounced in cats!

• Better behavior: Both females and males may exhibit some unwanted behavior when unaltered. Females, when in heat, which can happen every 3-4 weeks, may howl, meow, and even urinate more frequently in an attempt to attract a mate. Neutered males may be calmer and less likely to roam, as well. Neutered cats are less likely to mark their territories, too.

• Reduced pet suffering: The number one reason to spay or neuter a pet and to ensure no animal is adopted unaltered from Douglas County Animal Services is to reduce pet overpopulation and pet suffering. Even the best intentioned owners make mistakes and their dog or cat will “accidentally get pregnant.” Those accidental litters add up to thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens.

  • They are given away indiscriminately and may be abused or thrown out only to have more litters

  • If the litter is birthed outside, they die of exposure, starvation or are killed

  • They become strays where they are hit by cars, get in fights or suffer and die of exposure

  • They fill up the shelters

  • They take up a space that could have gone to an adoption from the Shelter

But the cycle can be broken.

The Douglas County Humane Society’s Spay/Neuter Program relies solely on donations to fund spay/neuter surgery days at the Douglas Animal Shelter and to assist county residents with spay/neutering their pets.

Let’s tackle pet suffering together.