SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PUPS!

EVERYONE LOVES PUPPIES! Right? Right! 

They're all so adorable that you just want to love them, nurture them, take care of them, and protect them forever and ever! 

Right?  Right! 

That's all great.  But before you get carried away with your puppy dreams, how about a reality check.  

What on earth are you going to do with 4, 6, 8, 10 or even a dozen puppies for 10+ years? 
​
Are you willing and able to give all of them a home?  
If not, will you vow to take care of them until you are able to find each puppy a home?

NO? Well, then you really shouldn't let your dog have puppies that you can't afford to keep. 

SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PETS!
Too many pets end up abandoned and homeless because humans are no longer able to care for them. People get frustrated and desperate and dump these animals on the streets where they struggle to survive and live short and very low quality lives.

If they're lucky, they might end up in animal shelters where they are eventually euthanized (i.e. killed) when nobody claims or adopts them.  

​Does this sound like a grim fate for our adorable furry, four-legged friends?

The sad reality is: there are too many pets being born and not enough homes willing to take them. 

Spaying/neutering is a proactive, humane solution to the problem of pet overpopulation. ​Having your pet spayed or neutered ensures that you won’t be contributing to needless suffering and death of your pet's future pups. 

WHAT IS SPAY/NEUTER?
Spaying (females) or neutering (males) renders the animal incapable of reproducing.  

Spaying pertains to sterilizing female animals by removing the reproductive organs including the ovaries, fallopian tubes & uterus. It is typically performed on an animal between the age of 8 weeks and 6 months(latter is recommended). There is no maximum age limit on spaying, but an animal must be healthy to make it through the surgery without any complications. 

Neutering pertains to sterilizing male animals by removing the testes, also referred to as castration. The penis is not operated on during this procedure, and the outer sac that once held the testes is left in place. It is typically performed on an animal between the ages of 8 weeks and 6 months(latter is recommended). It can be performed on older animals as long as it is healthy to ensure recovery from surgery.


WHY SPAY/NEUTER?
Many pet owners cringe at the thought of spaying or neutering their pet, but the lifetime of behavioral, health and practical benefits to doing so far outweigh the brief moment of discomfort that your pet may endure. Your pet will be healthier, happier and will live longer when you choose to spay or neuter them. 

BENEFITS OF SPAYING FEMALES

• Reduce the risk of breast, ovarian or uterine cancer, especially if done before the first heat cycle   
• Avoid certain behavioral issues such as aggression and moodiness,  that occur when a female is in heat
• Prevent unwanted pregnancies, which can be a strain on your female pet's body and sometimes your budget
• Prevent hormone-driven stray males from breaking into your backyard to seek out your female in heat
• Prevent or control outbreaks of non-contagious demodex (a.k.a. genetic) mange in carrier dogs, due to eliminating heat cycles and reducing stress on your female pet's body
• Help control the pet overpopulation by preventing unwanted pregnancies 

BENEFITS OF NEUTERING MALES

• Prevent testicular cancer and prostate disease
• Reduce the risk of hormone-driven males roaming -- escaping and tracking down females in heat to mate with -- and prevent injuries, accidents, death that may occur 
• Stop or reduce the urge to mark/spray when males are neutered earlier in life
• Reduce stress and sexual frustration when surrounding females go into heat (no more annoying and embarrassing humping!)
• Reduce aggressive behavior towards other pets and people 
• Help control the pet overpopulation by preventing unwanted pregnancies 

​$70 SPAY/NEUTER VOUCHERS
The City of Midland and Midland County believe in the importance of spaying and neutering pets.  They offer $70 discounts off spay/neuter surgeries to ALL RESIDENTS!  

Learn more here>>