Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet! What does "spay" and "neuter" really mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs,
male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles.
In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia.
Depending on your pet's age, size, and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days.
Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days.
Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet
Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
Un sterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those
who have been spayed or neutered.
Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
Spaying and Neutering is Good for the Community
Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.
Fix That Bunny!
When being conscientious about the pet overpopulation, don’t forget to spay or neuter your pet rabbit. Altering rabbits can reduce hormone-driven behavior such as lunging, mounting, spraying, and boxing. Spaying females can prevent ovarian, mammarian, and uterine cancers, which can be prevalent in mature does. Also, rabbits reproduce faster than dogs or cats and are the third-most surrendered animal to shelters.
Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when one considers its benefits. It's a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.
Where to Have Your Pet Spayed or Neutered
Many people ask their regular veterinarian to spay or neuter their pets. If you have trouble affording the procedures, consider these steps:
Call your local animal shelter. It may operate a local clinic or know of one that offers subsidized services. It may also offer vouchers to have your pet spayed or neutered at a lower cost by local cooperating private veterinarians.
You can find your shelter by searching online at www.Pets911.com. You can also look in your phone book. Animal shelters are called by a variety of names, so check in the Yellow Pages under listings such as "animal shelter," "humane society," or "animal control."
Call SPAY/USA is a national spay/neuter referral network that may be able to direct you to subsidized spay/neuter clinics in your area. SPAY/USA can be reached at 1-800-248-SPAY (1-800-248-7729) or you can visit them online at www.spayusa.org.
Call your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may be able to work out special financing options for you. Remember that, even if you pay full price for the procedures, spaying or neutering is a one-time cost with a lifetime of benefits. Spaying or neutering your pet not only helps curb pet overpopulation, but also reduces your pet's risk of succumbing to many later health problems. It remains one of the best bargains in animal health care.
Ask your veterinarian if you could pay for the surgery by cleaning the office, offer to do yard work, or even plow snow in the winther. These are things that your veterinarian has to pay for. You wont know till you ask!
Visit the Pets 911 website. Pets 911 is an online resource for pet guardians and those looking to adopt a pet. This online database can provide you with information on veterinarians, special clinics, and other spay/neuter resources in your area.
Get back here , they are your babies too!
Doll Face Cattery is a sponsor of
February 23rd, 2010 Spay&Neuter Day USA
I contacted our local veterinarians in Waldo County, Maine.
The total count for dog and cats that were either spayed or neutered was 60 pets for 2009. Lets see if we can top that number this year.
Were off to a great start, don't forget that many vets will be booked for Febuary so call early to make your appointment.
If you have a favorite veterinarian hospital, and want to help by donating money to your local veterinarian to help with the cost of a pet's surgery than make sure you put a note in the card explaining how the money is to be used. Send it directly to your favorite veterinarian office.
It will be greatly appreciated!
This page was last updated: March 9, 2010
If you need help with the cost of spay or neuter call the program listed here. . They will send you a form to fill out at a very small fee for registration. Cats $10.00 Dogs $20.00
Your pet will be spayed or neutered and given it's rabies shot.
Help Fix Me Please! 207-367-1317
Or log on to the HSUS web link below.
Listed below are two excellent veterinarians hospitals in the Searsport and Northport area.
If you have a "Fix me program" voucher they do take them.
Searsport Veterinarian Hospital
Located on Rt. 1 at 322 West Main St. Searsport, Maine 04974 Phone 548-2924
Dr. Justin L. Blake Veterinarian Hospital
66 Atlantic Highway (Rt 1) Northport, (ME) USA 04849
Tel : 207-789-5700 Emergency : 207-542-5750
Email : staff@themainedog.com
Doll Face Cattery wants to thank all the particapating business.
Searsport Town Office,
Searsport Veterinarian Hospital 548-2924
Blake Veterinarian Hospital 207-789-5700
Belfast Army/Navy store
Trustworthy/ Belfast Home supply
Toziers' Market - Searsport, Me.
All Creatures Veterinary Hospital 594-5039
Fosters Pet - Belfast, Me
Beyond The Sea www.beyondtheseamaine.com
Belfast Co-op Store goldy@belfastcoop.com
The Green Store Belfast www.thegreenstore.com
The Good Table www.thegoodtable.net
Heavenly socks yarn http://www.heavenlysocksyarns.com
De De Designswww.d.chinchaw@yahoo.com
MAINE
Aroostook Animal Welfare Awareness Group
207-227-5056
For pets of households in need who reside in Aroostook County. If no answer, leave a voice mail message.
M.A.M.A.
PO Box 94
Prospect Harbor, ME 04669
207-422-2358
Low cost spay/neuter for North and Central Maine.
Animal Refuge League
449 Stroudwater Street
Westbrook, ME 04092
207-854-9771
Spay/neuter program for pets of qualified low income people.
Humane Society-Waterville Area
Waterville ME
207-873-2430
Assistance for qualifying residents of the central Maine area covered.
Friends of Feral Felines
PO Box 8137
Portland, ME 04101
207-797-3014
mchase1@maine.rr.com Email
Low cost s/n for ferals.
Control Animal Population
Maine Federation of Humane Societies
c/o Denise Springer, Administrator
Animal Welfare Society
PO Box 43
West Kennebunk, ME 04094
207-985-3244
Discount certificates for people who demonstrate a financial need.
Maine Veterinary Medical Association
PO Box 8
Rumford Center, ME 04278
207-364-8660
Low cost spay/neuter program.
Please scroll to the bottom to see our community sponsor.
Listed below are some places to start in your quest for help.
Love that cat.com for your states listing.
