The first and foremost thing you can do is BE RESPONSIBLE. Get your pet spayed or neutered no matter what. If you live in Maine, visit http://www.state.me.us/agriculture/aw/fixme.html for information on a low cost spay-neuter program. You can also help by donating time or resources to our group. For more information on how to get involved, go to our Donation & Volunteer info link.

The Problem
More than 6 million unwanted dogs and cats are killed each year in our Nation’s shelters. Millions more stray or abandoned animals never make it to a shelter, and die premature deaths from accidents, starvation and disease.

The Solution
How do you play a part in stopping these senseless deaths? By spaying and neutering your pet. This action can help stop the cycle of uncontrolled breeding that produces the unwanted, unloved and forsaken animals that currently populate our animal shelters.

The Benefits of Spaying
Spaying, the procedure used for female pets, eliminates the heat cycle or "estrus." Twice a year dogs can go into heat for approximately 21 days. Cats can be in heat between 3-15 days as many as 3 or more times a year. By sterilizing a female pet, the desperate attempt of a dog or cat to find a mate will cease. Unwelcome visits by potential male "suitors" will terminate as they will no longer be drawn by the scent of the female in heat. Almost half of unspayed dogs develop breast tumors, but virtually no tumors occur if spaying is done before the first heat cycle. Spaying also eliminates the possibility of developing uterine or ovarian cancer.

The Benefits of Neutering
Neutering, the procedure used for male pets, eliminates most roaming associated with the search for a mate. This in turn reduces the risk of fights, injury, poisoning and traffic deaths. Neutered pets are more content and better behaved. Neutering reduces the urge of male dogs to "mount" and male cats to "mark" their territory. Neutered pets are also less likely to develop prostate problems and testicular tumors.

Understanding the Process
Dogs and cats have no psychological sex drive. They feel no need to reproduce and are more quiescent when they are spayed or neutered. For either gender, spaying and neutering removes discomfort, distress and distraction and makes your pet a more content family member. On the average, spayed and neutered pets live longer, too. Spaying and neutering is a relatively safe and painless operation done by a licensed veterinarian. The cost of the procedure depends on the age, size, sex and health of the pet. Spaying or neutering is typically cheaper for small pets. Many humane societies offer discounts for the operation. Some communities have low-cost clinics available to low-income families. Spaying or neutering can be done at any age, providing the animal is in good health and not overweight.


Separating Fact From Myth

Myth: Spaying/neutering costs too much.
Fact: There are spay/neuter programs that offer services at a reduced rate. Also, this charge only occurs once in the pet’s life. One can actually save money by having a pet sterilized since the chances of getting certain tumors or cancers are reduced. Treatment of these diseases can be very expensive.

Myth: Spaying or neutering will make a pet fat and lazy.
Fact: Lack of exercise and overfeeding are the main reasons a pet becomes fat. Feed your pet a properly balanced diet and make time for walks or play.

Myth: We can always find good homes for a litter.
Fact: Each home you find for a puppy or kitten is one less home available for the millions of unwanted pets euthanized each year.

Myth: One should let a female pet have at least one litter before spaying.
Fact: No medical evidence supports this statement. Animals do not need to have a litter. Spaying at a young age can also help prevent uterine infections as well as reduce the occurrence of mammary cancer.

Myth: Dogs and cats should be at least 6 months of age before they are spayed or neutered.
Fact: Early-age spay/neuter can be safely performed on puppies and kittens. Consult your veterinarian on appropriate age and weight requirements.

Myth: You don’t need to neuter your male because he is not the one having the litters.
Fact: Without an unneutered male, a female cannot have a litter. Responsible pet ownership means ensuring your pet is not part of the uncontrolled breeding producing the unwanted puppies and kittens.