NCDOT "I Care" License Plate

You can help curb pet overpopulation by purchasing an "I Care" license plate from NCDOT. Click on the image below.

Important Reasons to
Spay or Neuter Your Pet

In an effort to curb pet overpopulation and reduce the staggering numbers of unwanted animals euthanized at shelters every day, the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association encourages all pet owners to spay or neuter their pets.

Startling facts and figures*:

• A six-year-old female dog can be the source of 67,000 puppies.
• A seven-year-old female cat can be the source of 420,000 kittens.
• Eight million dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States each year.
• It can cost a government agency $176 to capture, house, feed and euthanize one homeless animal.

* Johnson County Humane Society

In addition to the above information, there are a number of important reasons to have you pet spayed and neutered.

• It increases your pet’s chances for a longer, healthier life by reducing the incidence of certain cancers such as breast cancer and eliminating uterine, ovarian and testicular cancer.
• A sterilized pet is a better pet. They are less likely to wander and get injured while looking for mates. Males who are neutered early in life are less likely to be aggressive. Females avoid the messy heat cycle and the barrage of amorous males at your doorstop.
• Altered pets cannot contribute to the epidemic of overpopulation from accidental breeding thus reducing the number of animals surrendered to shelters every day.

Many people have excuses for not having their pets altered.

• Some may think that their pet will get fat and lazy. Although spaying and neutering may diminish the pet’s overall activity level, tendency to wander, and increase appetite, pets that become fat and lazy after being altered are usually overfed and underexercised.
• Some may want a pet just like the one they have, but breeding two purebred animals rarely results in offspring that are exactly like one of the parents.
• Some may be concerned that their pet’s personality will change, but any change would be for the better. Altered pets are less aggressive toward other dogs and cats, are less likely to urine mark and wander, and generally have better personalities.
• Some may want their children to witness the birth of puppies or kittens; however, most animal will seek privacy and the middle of the night to have their litters. The after care of neonatal animals can be time consuming and complications with pregnancy or the babies can be expensive.
• Finally, many people are concerned about the risks of anesthesia. Although there is always a slight risk involved, the anesthetics currently used by veterinarians are very safe.

Pet owners who decide not to spay and neuter their pets certainly have the right to make that decision. However, there is a responsibility to prevent their pets from adding to the population of animals that wind up in shelters. So, if there is a pregnancy, owners must be prepared to:

• Provide the best nutrition and veterinarian care for the animal,
• Remain with the dog or cat during the births to clean and dry the puppies or kittens,
• Deal with a problem pregnancy or delivery,
• Keep the puppies or kittens warm and the whelping area clean,
• Keep the puppies or kittens for at least eight weeks,
• Provide basic health care and socialization before the puppies or kittens are placed in new homes,
• Provide training and behavior information to new puppy or kitten owners, and
• Take back or help place any puppy or kitten that doesn’t work in its original home.

Obviously, unless a pet owner is also a dedicated breeder, it’s cheaper, healthier, and far more practical to spay the pet.

Once you decide to have your pet spayed or neutered, there are some questions that you may want to ask the veterinarian.

• Does the clinic use a reversible gas anesthesia? It’s more expensive, but it’s safer.
• Are the instruments sterilized after every use? It’s more expensive and time-consuming, but it’s safer.
• Does the veterinarian scrub between surgeries? It takes longer, but it’s safer.
• Is the dog hooked to a heart monitor? It costs more, but it’s safer.
• Is the incision closed with layers of sutures? It takes longer, but it’s safer.

The NCVMA encourages everyone to spay or neuter their pets. Please call your veterinarian and make an appointment today. If you do not have a veterinarian, there’s a listing of our members under Find a Hospital on the website.