Know the benefits of spaying, neutering

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce a number of serious health problems that can be difficult or expensive to treat in your companion animal.

It can make your dog or cat a better companion for you and your family.

Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark their territory with pungent urine.

Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle.

In dogs, the heat cycle lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year. In cats it lasts six to seven days, often three or more times a year.

Cats in heat can cry incessantly, and dogs and cats in heat may appear nervous and attract unwanted males.

Neutering can make an animal less likely to roam, run away or get into fights.

Dogs and cats who are spayed or neutered often exhibit fewer behavior problems than those who haven't been spayed or neutered.

Dogs who are neutered may be less likely to bite.

Please don't be responsible for bringing more puppies or kittens into the world where they have no future. Get complete facts.

Log onto www.humanesociety.org and check out low-cost, non-profit spay and neuter clinics like S.P.O.T. in Cloverdale, and always support local humane efforts.

***

Hot weather is upon us, and with the rise in temperatures comes much suffering for animals.

Dogs are descendants of the wolf, an animal who spends his days in the cool forests or rock shelters.

Just as the wolf seeks shelter from the sun, so also do dogs need shade.

Rather than providing shade, a dog house sitting in the sun quickly becomes an oven. Deprived of shade, a dog can die a slow and painful death from heat stroke.

Dog houses need to be placed under a large tree or a side porch needs to be built onto the house to provide shade.

Dogs need plenty of fresh, clean water every day.

Water will stay cooler and cleaner if it is in a bucket rather than a shallow bowl. Keeping a small scrub brush by the water spigot is a good reminder to keep the bucket clean.

It is also essential that cats and all animals have fresh water available at all times.

Care for creatures ought not be entirely in the hands of a child. Adult supervision is needed.

Spend some quality time each day with your animals.

Pet them, talk to them, take them for a walk.

Every creature deserves to be treated with kindness and respect.

Having an animal requires time and money. If you are unwilling or unable to give either, please don't get an animal.

***

You often see it in advertising -- the faithful dog waiting for his young friend at the school bus stop.

But in reality, the family dog or cat should not be allowed to follow children to school or to the bus stop.

Animals who are allowed to do this often become confused and can't find their way backk home, or their lives are cut short under the wheels of a car.

Sometimes, even more often than that, the animal will be injured in some way and crawl off to die a slow and painful death in a ditch someplace.

Your four-legged friend is much safer in her own home or fenced yard, where she is out of traffic.

In a few hours, the children will be back home from school, and everyone can resume their safe play once again.

Your companion animal will be safe and the child will have learned a lesson in responsibility.

For more complete information, check out the Web site www.help animals.org.

Inherit the Earth is a Greencastle-based organization.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: