Pet Matters

Western Arizona Humane Society
Martha M. Bennett, Executive Director

This is a regular column, presented every two weeks to provide information
about pet and animal care, including the legal responsibilities of pet
ownership. We invite you to send us questions to answer in upcoming issues.
Please send your questions and comments to the Today's News Herald or directly to me at W.A.H.S.
Visit our website at: www.ctaz.com/~wahs.

Spring Fever Is In The Air
Please spay or neuter your pets!
It's springtime and that means puppy and kitten time at the Western Arizona
Humane Society. During this season, the shelter receives many unwanted
puppies and kittens. While some find good homes, others do not and they
must be euthanized. Please help us to control pet over-population - spay and neuter your pets.

1. What are "spay" and "neuter"?
"Spay" means to sterilize a female animal by removing the ovaries. "Neuter" means to sterilize a male animal by removing the testicles.

2. Why must the dogs and cats adopted at the Western Arizona Humane Society be spayed or neutered?
There are three reasons.
First, spayed or neutered animals derive health and behavioral benefits from the surgery.
Second, to reduce pet over-population which kills millions of dogs and cats each year.
Third, Arizona state law prohibits the release for adoption from a shelter any dog or cat that has not been surgically spayed or neutered.

3. Are there any exceptions?
W.A.H.S. occasionally allows owners to take a pet home that will be spayed or neutered in the near future. In these cases, the animal is either too small or under-developed for the surgery. The owner must agree to and pay for the surgery at the time of the adoption and later provide evidence that the surgery was performed by the required date.
Rabbits and ferrets adopted from W.A.H.S. must be sterilized. Reptiles (iguanas) and birds are not sterilized.

4. What if we live out-of-state?
It doesn't matter where the new owner lives. The policies are the same regardless of the location of the pet's new home.

5. At what age are pets sterilized?
Cats must be at least 2 months old and weigh more than 2 pounds. Dogs must be at least 2 months old and weigh at least 4 pounds.

6. Isn't the sterilization surgery dangerous and painful?
No. Spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed on animals. With a minimal amount of home care, your pet will resume normal behavior in a couple of days.

7. Won't the sterilization make my pet fat and lazy?
Emphatically, no. You can keep your pet lively and trim with proper diet and exercise.

8. What are the other advantages?
First, spaying can prevent breast cancer, eliminate the risk of uterine infections, uterine or ovarian cancer and some skin disorders. Neutering can prevent testicular disease and greatly lessen the risk of prostate disease. Sterilized pets tend to live an average of 2 - 3 years longer than unsterilized pets.

Second, spayed or neutered pets are less likely to roam, spray or mark territory or be aggressive. Spayed females will not attract coyotes during mating season.

Third, spayed or neutered pets are generally better, more affectionate companions.

9. I want a dog that will protect my family and home. Won't sterilization ruin a dog for that purpose?
No. Sterilization does not affect a dog's instinct to protect their human family. W.A.H.S. does not adopt guard dogs but companion pets that we hope will be treated like beloved members of the family.

10. How can sterilizing my pet make such a difference in preventing over-population?
Every little bit helps. Sterilization prevents accidental and unwanted pregnancies. A female cat with one litter can be responsible for 420,000 cats being born in a 6 year period. Similarly, a female dog with one litter can be responsible for 62,000 dogs being born in a 6 year period.

11. What is S.N.I.P?
S.N.I.P stands for Spay Neuter Incentive Program. SNIP is a program, sponsored by WAHS, that provides low-cost sterilization surgeries for pets belonging to persons who qualify for the program.

12. How is S.N.I.P. funded?

S.N.I.P is funded through donations. If you would like to make a donation, you may do so at the Western Arizona Humane Society, 1100 Empire Drive, Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86404.