SPAY AND NEUTER FACTS
The solution to the stray, abandoned, and unwanted companion animal dilemma is this:
Only by spaying and neutering all companion animals will we get a handle on pet overpopulation. Otherwise, animals will have to be euthanized.
DID YOU KNOW?
adoptable animals are euthanized
in animal shelters each year
simply because they do not have homes?
even in our small northern Michigan communities!
Your female dog or cat will live a longer, healthier life.
Spaying—the removal of the ovaries and uterus—is a veterinary procedure performed under general anesthesia that usually requires minimal hospitalization. Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent pyometra (pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer. Treatment of pyometra requires hospitalization, intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Breast cancer can be fatal in about 50 percent of female dogs and in 90 percent of female cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
there are major health benefits for your male animal companion too!
Beside from preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male dog or cat —the surgical removal of testicles—prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
Your male dog will be much better behaved
Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, un-neutered cats and dogs may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Indoors, male dogs may embarrass you by mounting furniture and human legs when stimulated. And, FYI, a neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as an un-neutered dog and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
spaying and neutering will not make your pet fat
It’s no use to use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
Your spayed female won’t go into heat
While cycles can vary greatly, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they will yowl and urinate more frequently-sometimes all over the house. Unspayed female dogs generally have a bloody discharge for about a week, and can conceive for another week or so.
Your male dog won’t need to roam away from home.
An intact male in search of a mate will do just about anything to get one! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. Once he’s free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.
spaying & neutering is highly cost-effective
The cost of your pet’s spay or neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with neighborhood strays…or the cost of cleaning the carpet that your unspayed female keeps mistaking for her litter box, or the cost of…well, you get the idea!
it’s good for the community!
Stray animals pose real problems in many parts of the country, including northern Michigan. They can prey on wildlife, cause vehicular accidents, damage the local fauna, and scare children.
your pet doesn’t need to have a litter for your children to witness the miracle of birth.
We’ve heard this one a lot. But you know what? Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping teaches your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the truth behind this dangerous myth. There are countless books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a responsible manner.
it packs a powerful punch in the fight against pet over-population
Millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.
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ON THE AC PAW SPAY AND NEUTER PROJECT
HOW AC PAW SPAY & NEUTER PROGRAM WORKS
AC PAW Spay & Neuter Program volunteers work year-round to raise funds to assistance with low-cost spay and neuter for dogs and cats.
We are constantly working with local vets to facilitate reduced cost spay/neuter clinics around the five-county area of Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Kalkaska, Antrim, and Benzie.
- We encourage you to complete an application for assistance.
- Once you submit an application you will be added to our list and notified of opportunities for upcoming clinics and the pricing offered at each clinic.
- It will be up to you to respond and ask for a space at the specified clinic.
- You must receive confirmation from us that you are on the list for that clinic. Once confirmed, you will receive directions and instructions.
- As funding is available, we will be issuing vouchers for discounted spay/neuter surgeries.
- Anyone on our list will be notified of any offerings of special spay neuter vouchers available to be used at various vet clinics around the area.
All clinics and vet appointments are first come, first serve – please respond to our communications immediately. We have many people in need, our list is long, therefore most communication is done via email with phone calls as needed.
If you have an emergency situation, we encourage you to make a note on your application and/or send us a separate email at fixthemallacpaw@gmail.com to ask for special attention/assistance.
The AC PAW Spay and Neuter Project is always in need of additional funding to keep our program going and to help reduce and potentially STOP the overpopulation of cats and dogs across our area. If you are able to donate now or in the future, we truly appreciate any help you can give.