Spay and Neuter Campaign
Stay tuned for updates about our next spay and neuter campaign!
The Importance
The overpopulation of cats and dogs is leading to an alarming increase in abandoned animals with worsening living conditions, public health problems and the extinction of wildlife species.
Requirements for Sterilization
Animals must be in good health
The animal must not be in heat or pregnant (if the animal is pregnant, it cannot exceed three weeks of gestation)
Must be a minimum of three months old
Sterilization benefits the pet and the environment!
Dogs and cats that are spayed and neutered live on average 40% longer than those that are not
Significantly reduces the risk of procuring life threatening diseases including cancer
Minimizes threat to local biodiversity
Helps increase the quality of life for animals
Controls the number of abandoned animals
Myths of Sterilization
Myth: It’s better to have one litter first.
Fact: Evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are generally healthier. Many veterinarians sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks old now.
Myth: My pet is purebred.
Fact: At least one of every four pets brought into animal shelters are purebred. There is an overpopulation of dogs and cats - mixed breed and purebred.
Myth: I want my dog to be protective.
Fact: Spaying and neutering does not affect a dog’s natural instinct to protect the home and family. A dog’s personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.
Myth: I’ll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.
Fact: You may find good homes, but each home you find means one less home for animals in shelters. Furthermore, in less than one year, each of your pet’s offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time.
Source: Mobile Animal Surgical Hospital (MASH)
Recommendations
Prior to surgery:
Clean the animal the day before surgery.
Do not give them food for at least 12 hours before surgery and water no less than 8 hours before. We recommend the last meal be served around 8 p.m. the day before surgery.
For cats, we recommend they stay inside a closed room the night before, ensuring they do not hunt overnight.
Please bring cats in either a pet box or pillowcase. We recommend a pillowcase as they feel more comfortable to breathe without the stress of seeing other animals.
Dogs need to be with their owner in a dog collar.
Make sure you have time to take care of the animal after surgery.
We recommend that the animal be dewormed and vaccinated at least one month prior to surgery.
Bring an old, but clean t-shirt to make a girdle and prevent the pet from removing the stitches (watch the tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvgvy2v0qQU).
Bring an Elizabethan collar to prevent the animal from removing stitches