Compliments of Operation Kindness For Hernando County Animal Services, Inc.

 

 

COMMON MYTHS AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT SPAYING AND NEUTERING

 

“SPAYING AND NEUTERING COSTS TOO MUCH MONEY”

It is actually cheaper in the long run than caring for litter upon litter of animals. Also, there are

many affordable spay/neuter services in the area.

 

“SHE SHOULD HAVE ONE LITTER TO SETTLE HER DOWN”

Having a litter won’t improve your animal’s health or permanently change her personality,

although she may be tired and irritable from nursing.

 

“I WANT MY CHILDREN TO SEE THE MIRACLE OF BIRTH”

But will they? Many pets hide when giving birth. Even if you find good homes for the litter, you may deny homes to animals already born.

 

“ONLY FEMALES NEED TO BE ‘FIXED’, SINCE THE LITTERS ARE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY”

But how do all of those pets get pregnant? A male pet can easily father hundreds of offspring in his lifetime. (And if he gets into the neighbor’s yard and mates with the “wrong” female, her owner could sue.)

 

“SEXUAL FULFILLMENT IS IMPORTANT TO ME- HOW CAN I DENY IT TO MY PET?”

Don’t confuse your emotional needs and relationships with your pet’s instinctive hormonal responses. Your pet won’t notice the change.

 

“SPAYING OR NEUTERING MAKES PETS FAT AND LAZY”

No, that’s caused by overfeeding and lack of exercise. Spayed or neutered animals require fewer calories. Cut down on their meals and make time to walk or play.

 

“IF I NEUTER MY DOG, HE’LL STOP PROTECTING OUR HOUSE”

Not so! His instinct to ‘defend his turf’ won’t be affected. And he’ll be less likely to wander off.

 

“KEEPING ANIMALS FROM HAVING LITTERS IS INTERFERING WITH NATURE”

We’ve already interfered with nature. Domesticated dogs and cats mate more often and have larger litters than their wild ancestors, but cannot survive well on their own.