Pets SPCA House - Why you should sterilise your Pet

(This page may be printed out.) cat kisses

Pet ownership has gained popularity in Singapore, especially for the past few years. Despite this upsurge, the unwanted cat and dog population looms high. Many of these poor animals get brought in to the Singapore SPCA. Finally, there are too many animals to accommodate and space is limited. Also, homes cannot be found fast enough.

In the long run, it is more humane to put an animal to sleep than to leave it starving on the street where it is prone to catching diseases. Pet owners can help solve this problem by spaying their female pets or sterilising their male ones. What is spaying or sterilisation?

It is an operation carried out on an animal's reproductive organs to prevent it from producing offspring; the procedure is performed under general anaesthetic, so the animal feels no pain. There may be slight discomfort for one or two days afterwards, but it is soon over, and your pet's chances of a healthy life are enhanced.

Unaltered cats and dogs often suffer from cancer of the reproductive organs, testicular tumours, ovarian tumours and chronic uterine infections such as pyometra and metritis. Spaying or sterilising totally eliminates any opportunity of contracting these ailments. So, for those people of thinking that the sterilising operation is too expensive, do spare a thought for your pet. Think of the operation as a lifetime investment and of beneficial consequence to your pet's health.

Anyone adopting an animal from the Singapore SPCA must agree to have the animal spayed or sterilised. The cost is included in the adoption fee along with vaccination. Also, if you decide to adopt a puppy or kitten from the Singapore SPCA, it is important to bring the animal back for its operation when it reaches six months. For any further information, call (65)2875355.

Back to Noteboard

© All Rights Reserved, 1997. No part of Pets SPCA House should be reproduced in any form without the prior permission of the webmaster, Nerissa Chen. Site information courtesy of Animal Chatter and the SPCA Singapore.