Myths and Facts

There are a lot of myths surrounding spaying and neutering. Hopefully this will help you.

Myth: I've heard that spaying or neutering my pet change their personality.

Fact: In some cats, it does. But it's for the better! They will become more affectionate, will not have the urges to roam and are generally happier animals.

Myth: My pet is a pedigree so I shouldn't alter my pet because they are pure bred.

Fact: As many as 25% of the animals in shelters are pure bred.

Myth: My cat or dog should have at least one litter before being altered.

Fact: This one doesn't even make sense. Unless you are willing to care for all of the kittens produced, your pet needs to be altered. Furthermore, being altered before their first "heat" cycle is much healthier for the animal and actually reduces their chances of several types of cancer. Another thing to think about is that every abused and unwanted animal came from just "one litter".

Myth: My animals can teach my children about the miracle of birth.

Fact: Yes, and your animals can also teach your children about the "miracle" of death from overpopulation! This makes no more sense than a woman getting pregnant with a child they don't want and can't care for to teach her child the same "miracle".

Myth: My cat or dog will get fat and lazy after they are spayed/neutered.

Fact: No, you cat or dog will get lazy and fat if you feed it too much and don't give them enough exercise!

Myth: My animals are pure bred so I am going to breed them and make lots of money.

Fact: Get real! Ask most reputable breeders and they will tell you that they often LOSE money due to stud fees, veterinary care, food, advertising, and time spent caring for the mother and the litter! They all place an enormous demand on your resources. Responsible breeders spend a lifetime studying genetics, bloodlines, and history of the breed so that they can try to improve the breed. They don't breed animals to "become rich"!

Myth: I've heard altering an animal can shorten their lives.

Fact: This is so far off I'm not sure where to begin. First, altered animals live longer and healthier lives. Second, if an animal is unaltered, they are going to run off to mate which leaves them vulnerable being hit by cars, taken to shelters, or being abused by some idiot who thinks it's fun.

Myth: My animal should have a litter to make her more mature.

Fact: This is silly. The only thing that will mature your pet is growing up and aging.

Myth: Hey, I bought this dog (or cat) to watch over my home and family. If I alter him (or her) it will make them a sissy.

Fact: Altering does NOT affect the protectiveness your dog feels for his home and owners! Nor will it make him a "sissy".

Myth: Sterilization is a dangerous and painful surgery for my pet.

Fact: Spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed on animals. With a minimal amount of home care, your pet will resume their normal behavior in a few days.

Myth: They are my animals. Why should I have them altered? I wouldn't want to be, therefore neither would my animals.

Fact: Thinking like this is the reason we have such an enormous amount of homeless animals! If you give your animals the freedom to wander, YOU are going to be responsible for the mother and the kittens produced. Pet overpopulation is the number one reason so many animals are being euthanized every year. Spaying and neutering helps control the population and reduces the number of pets that are abandoned, abused, and destroyed.

I hope this has helped some of you understand why it is so important to spay/neuter. Please read the rest of this site and email me if you find a reason for an animal to be left unaltered.