Why sterilize your pet?

As a volunteer who has helped find homes for close to a thousand animals one question am commonly asked is "Why should I sterilize or Neuter my pet?". After reading plenty of articles and research paper here is a detailed compilation of various such materials explaining as to why and how and also many other faq's answered:

(Please note that this article shall in no way replace the option of your veterinarian or any medical professional.)

About sterilization/neutering
The decision to sterilize or neutering our animal indicates that we take great interest in it and that we feel responsible for it. There are many taboos and beliefs when it comes to this subject. Below, we would like to clarify the matter.

What is sterilization/neutering?
It is a surgical method through which the vet (only the vet!) removes the reproductive organs. It does not hurt. In males it is the testicles (neutering); in females the ovaries and the uterus (ovaryhisterectomy – OVH or sterilization). The hormonal processes disappear but the character of the animal does not suffer alteration. In dominant aggressive males, this behavior can attenuate or disappear. Females stop being on heat.


Advantages of sterilization/neutering
It is the best and most efficient weapon against the indiscriminate reproduction and consequent overpopulation of dogs and cats. 

In females: 

•  It eliminates the possibility of contracting cancer of the ovaries or the uterus (the number one cause of death amongst unsprayed females). 
•  It prevents pyometria, an inflammatory process of the uterus that, if not treated in time (the treatment includes sterilization), can lead to the death of the animal. 
•  It prevents pseudocyesis, commonly known as psychological pregnancy or false gestation, which is a common hormonal disturbance in females. 
• In females sterilized before their first heat (approximately at six/seven months) the risk to develop breast tumours is practically zero. 

In males: 

• It contributes to reduce aggressiveness towards other males, especially when fighting for females. 
• The ritual of territory marking with urine and possessive or dominant behaviours also tend to diminish. 
• It reduces anxiety and the habit to run away or to attack other animals, people or even furniture. 
• It spares the animal some instinctive reactions related to the reproductive system, for example, the males stay much calmer. 
• It avoids testicular tumours, perianal hernias, tumours of the hepatoide glands, perianal gland tumours, prostate tumours and cysts, among others. 
• However, it is necessary to emphasize that sterilization does not change anything in relation to territorial defence or aggressiveness caused by fear. In other words, the sterilization does not leave the dog less or more fearful, nor does it intervene with its’ instinct to guard. The animal’s character does not change. 
• It diminishes the risk to contract venereal diseases transmitted through sexual intercourse or illnesses transmitted by animal bites. It also reduces the risk of being run over. 

When It is Acceptable NOT to Spay or Neuter 
Dog has a health condition that makes surgery too high of a risk (as decided by your veterinarian)


Poor Excuses to Keep Your Dog Intact

• You are not a qualified breeder, but want your dog to have "just one litter" before being spayed. This just adds to the overpopulation problem and has not been proven to be medically beneficial. Don't become a backyard breeder. 
• You have found homes for all of the pups. If you know people who want puppies, send them to local animal shelters and rescue groups. For every puppy you place in a home, another may be getting euthanized. 
• You think your dog will get fat and lazy. While hormonal changes can have some affect, weight gain and changes in energy level are usually the result of the normal ageing process. Give your dog a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. 
• You want your children to witness the miracle of life. Your dog is not a teaching model. Contact a responsible breeder or a farmer in your area and plan an educational field trip with the kids. 
• You worry your dog will miss its "parts." Neutering does not make male dogs feel emasculated, and spaying won't leave your female with some sort of emptiness. Animals simply do not think this way. 

Are we not going against nature? 

No! The natural right of the female to reproduce herself is inferior to the right of the offspring not to be killed, for example: by being thrown into the river only a few days old, by being killed in a plastic bag or shredded inside a dustcart, etc. These are only some of the many inhuman and cruel ways to kill an unwanted animal. Man can reproduce himself, but exercises the right over himself to do it or not, by using contraceptives. Nowadays, with the possibility to avoid pregnancy, no woman has as many children as she has fertile years and no man asks her to have them. Nature dictated the same laws for everybody. It is our duty, as humans, to help the animals.


Are we going to deprive the animal of its’ sex life?
No! Animals do not experience sexuality as human beings do. For an animal sex is only the physical process of reproduction. As eating and drinking are the essentials for individual survival, sex is the essential for the survival of its’ species. For man sex has a purpose in itself, to the animal it only means to secure the conception of another individual. The proof of this is that the female only accepts the male when she is on heat. That is, when her body has a hormonal necessity for it. Outside this period, she rejects the male aggressively, which means that to her, there is no pleasure related to sex. We are talking about hormonal necessity only. The male also only approaches the female when he receives the chemical information that she is on heat. 

Should we feel sorry to operate on the animal?
No, because no matter how much we love the animal, we should not humanise it and put it in our position. When the vet suggests neutering for a male, a male owner takes a defensive attitude as if it would have been suggested to him personally. This is a normal and logical reaction but the decision to sterilize or neuter an animal is for its’ own good as well as for the owner’s. 

Will the animal put on weight after sterilization or neutering?
An animal that is fed inadequate food will put on weight, operated or not. In both cases the amount of food has to be adjusted to the animal. The animal also needs physical exercise regularly. 

Will the animal’s character change?
After sterilization or neutering only hormone dependent behaviour changes, like marking of territory. Often it is the owner’s character that changes. He becomes more protective and friendly towards his animal, either because he feels sorry for having sterilized or neutered the animal or because the animal doesn’t give him as much trouble as before. In any case the change is always positive. 

Should a female have an offspring at least once in her lifetime?
No. This is a false idea. Reproduction is a hormonal and chemical process. Having puppies does not improve health. Once females have been sterilized they won’t be on heat anymore so reproduction stops. Neither will they have psychological pregnancies. 

Are vets not suggesting sterilization or neutering only to earn money?

Vets are qualified to give such advice. They are professionals and it is their duty to watch over the health of the animals, the living ones as well as their undesired, unborn offspring. 

Does sterilization/neutering benefit the undesired offspring?
Studies prove that a female dog, during her reproductive cycle, will give origin to 6000 animals in 6 years time. Half of them die early from some kind of disease, or they are being drowned in rivers or suffocated alive in plastic bags or garbage containers, etc. The other half is killed systematically in kennels and on the road. Of those who survive, only a small part has the luck to be adopted. 

If the dog is full-blooded, should we sterilize or neuter it anyway?
One of every four animal that is found abandoned is full-blooded. Is there anything crueler to full-blooded animals than the exaggerated necessity of veterinarian care? When the owner is tired of his animal, not wanting to spend any more money on it, he gives it to someone who is willing to accept it only because of its full-blooded race. But the problem remains… and the animal lives without the proper living conditions for its’ race. Ninety percent of all full-blooded animals are not born through legal breeders, but through backyard-breeders. They spend their first weeks or months in life without veterinarian attendance or adequate hygiene, which in many cases lead to an early death. Those who survive, face a life with chronic health problems instead. The ’household’ breeding of full-blood animals takes a death toll of thousands of animals each year. 

Will a sterilized or neutered dog be able to serve as a watchdog?
The character of the animal depends on its genetic inheritance, not on its’ sex hormones. However, if you only need a dog to guard your property, we suggest you install an electronic alarm system instead! 

What if people would like their dog to have puppies?
A baby animal is a fragile creature that is unprotected and inspires compassion. If you want to experience this at home and teach your children the respect for other living creatures, it is not necessary for your own dog to have puppies (or your cat to have kittens). You can phone any animal protection association or shelter. There are nearly always females that are close to giving birth or already have newborn babies. You could care for them until their adoption. This would be a double rewarding experience: that of taking care of a new life and showing generosity towards abandoned animals. 

What if people insist that their cat or dog have young?
No young of any animal will be its’ duplicate. It is preferable that after the animal has left this life to remember it as a unique and irreplaceable being. And when the circumstances are right for you to adopt another one, there are thousands of animals waiting –unfortunately. People always say they take responsibility for the young. That might be, but the worst part only comes later as you can see: Suppose that a female has young only twice in her life, amounting totally to twelve kittens for a cat and twenty puppies for a dog. Then take into account that half of them are female and will reproduce themselves in the same ratio with hundred percent survivors of the descendants. Within five years, three hundred thousand animals will be born, of which the largest part will end up dying abandoned. Others will be poisoned, mutilated or being run over. All this will be the responsibility of the initial owner.




Reference: http://sosalgarveanimals.com/

AN INFORMAL REPORT ON OUR MEETING WITH THE “WORSHIPFUL” MAYOR

WRITTEN BY- A RESPONSIBLE AND COMPASSIONATE CITIZEN.

    I know most of you are wondering why is this a big deal, well as you read it would become clear to you why I took the time and effort to write  the report about our meeting with the Mayor that took place on 4^th June ’13.

                There were initially rumors that did their rounds in animal welfare workers circle (well we are more of us than u can imagine) that the mayor has proposed to build numerous shelters around the city to prison the street dogs. Since there was no concrete evidence to prove so, we let it slide. But then came the shocker; a newspaper article stating that this proposal is indeed true. Various organizations and animal welfare workers around the city and in fact even the country started to write to the mayor suggesting that this is not the permanent solution to what the mayor called as “getting rid” of the street dogs.

                 We took it upon ourselves as individuals (note that we might belong to different organizations but we work for one cause) to write to him and finally he agreed to meet us. We went as an entourage of ten hoping we could enlighten the Mayor about the issues with setting up such a shelter.

                He seemed as a level headed man. He said to us “please state your issue” and we were glad he was ready listen. All of us explained to him that we take care of numerous dogs on our streets and not very comfortable with the idea of “imprisoning” them in a shelter. He listened to us in for a little while and then he said to us- “you have told me your issues now let me tell me mine”.

                And in few seconds his objectives become transparent to all of us. He is not the level headed man we thought he was he was a perfect description of what we would term as an “Indian Politician”.

              He told us that his public has the fear of even walking in areas where there were dogs and that he has been receiving numerous complaints on daily basis as to how the street dogs have become a nuisance to “his city”. He went as far to state and I quote "People don't like looking at dog's faces on the street. Therefore, I will impound them".

               We requested him to share his ideas and plans for the shelter and trust me I don’t know if I should laugh or cry as I even write this down-

·       Shelters to house all the quarter of a million street dogs in the city.

·       The shelter would be built up to the standards and we have “professionals” designing the spaces for us.

·       The dogs shall be given good and healthy food twice a day.

·       The shelter will be cleaned on regular basis

·       The dogs will be given out for adoption. He proudly announced that I will make sure people would take Indian dogs for adoption.

·       When a puppy is born in the shelter it would immediately be taken away from the mother and given for adoption.

·       We will slowly start the ABC(Animal Birth Control) program once the catching of the dogs from the entire city is successfully done.

So these were thoughts that were going through our head when he was stating these ridiculous.

·       How on earth are you going to be able to house all the city street dogs in shelters?

·       Yah sure we all know how all the buildings done by our government are done up to standards. When such standards are not followed for buildings where people are housed in or work in, you expect us to believe that you would do the shelters up to the standards for those poor speechless soles whose safety and well being you are least bothered about.

·       Healthy food and clean shelter? Com’on give us a break. Have you been to a government shelter facility? Their food is far from healthy, in fact I would be surprised if they are even being fed. And clean? I see these dogs sitting in inches of unclean dog faeces.

·       Are you telling me you will make sure every dog there gets adopted? We organize number of adoption drives a year and none of us are able to reach cross the mark of over 100 Indian pups a month. How are you even planning of getting quarter of million ‘Adult’ Indian dogs adopted?

·       Don’t you know how the nature works? How can you separate the pups immediately from the mother after birth and give it out for adoption and expect the pup to survive?

·       Yeah sure, take your time in starting the ABC program. By the time you start, the dogs in the shelter would have already mated and over half of the bitches would be pregnant.

                  And so the conversation continued for little longer where we explained to him that the only solution to the street dog issue he claims the public is facing is the ABC procedure and he shocked us with one statement that I quote- " I don’t care about ABC. Dogs live for 7 yrs average and i don’t want them alive on my streets. I want a quick fix to the issue, even if it means that in the long run, the dogs double or even triple I want something reasonable to show in my term here. The uneducated and the unruly public who voted for me are demanding it and I will give them what they want because for me their votes is what matter.” It just took us a while to come back to our sense after we heard that very statement from him, it’s sad as to how he perceives the public the sole reason he is sitting in that seat and also to see how he is ready to do play with the lives of those speechless animals just because he wants to get more votes next term.

And he went on to make to make a few more ridiculous statements and remarks:

·       “People are paranoid about dogs now, they don’t want to look at any dog even if it is a friendly one.

·       “Dog lovers are a minority and majority of the people want the dogs removed. I know about the history of minority being hurt in the past, but those were people and these are dogs. Dogs cannot talk and bad mouth me but people will so I side with the people”

·        “If people complain about crows I will do the same with crows”

·       School kids are not going to school and women don’t go out of their homes because they fear the dogs on their street

So there you go all that he had to say was he had made up his mind about the shelter but he was ready to listen to us if we had any other solution to getting rid of dogs from the streets.

              I explained to him calmly as to how I have visited various shelters around the world where its turned out to be a tough challenge for them to house less than 500 injured animals, therefore it came as a shock to us when he claimed he can accommodate quarter of a million dogs of whom many would be sick, disabled and elderly dogs who would require special care and treatment. He told me that he doesn't care about all of those all he wants is to just get “Rid” of the dogs from the streets. We all know what he means when he says getting “Rid” of the dogs he is going to cramp these poor souls into tiny cells and when he runs out of space they would quietly and confidentially start euthanize these dogs. We have seen these practices in various shelters around the world. And when we told him that he said and I quote “I don’t care about the facts and data, you bring me a solution that doesn't involve dogs on the streets”

              Finally, after realizing that nothing good is to come out of trying to make a man understand the facts, when he not ready to listen, we requested him to give us time to come up with a solution for this issue. He looked at us smiled and said," you have a week time or else am going ahead with my plans". So, there it is the hard truth, We have just 7 days to come up with a solution to save these speechless creatures from a life of imprisonment and pure torture.