“My pet, my choice. Say NO to spay and neuter.” Those were the words on the bumper sticker in front of me as I picked up my daughter from school. I thought about the words, and wondered if the driver had ever been to an animal shelter, where millions of cats and dogs are euthanized each year because there are not enough homes for them. This time of year, every pound in the nation is brimming with litter upon litter of unwanted kittens and pups, waiting for a family and a chance for a happy life, waiting, through no fault of their own, for the home that never comes. I wonder if this “anti-spay/neuter” attitude would hold true if this person were forced to look into an animal’s pleading eyes, just before he takes his last breath. Even the no-kill shelters and foster programs turn countless animals away each year simply because there is not enough room. According to the HSUS, more than 4 million dogs and cats who enter open-door shelters will be euthanized in 2009. It’s a heartbreaking situation, but there is something we can all do to make things better.
1. Be responsible with your own pets. It can’t be said enough – have companion animals spayed/neutered. Sterilization not only helps to reduce massive overpopulation numbers, but also creates a happier, healthier pet, and a better home environment. Studies show that animals who are neutered live longer, healthier lives, have far less behavioral problems, and make better members of the family! For more information, visit www.hsus.org/pet_care.
2. Donate to spay and neuter causes. Local groups, such as Denton Humane Society and Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP), have spay/neuter programs that are in constant need of financial donations. Programs offer assistance to local pet owners who cannot afford to provide this service for their pet.
3. Volunteer your time. Fundraisers take a vast amount of time, effort, and manpower. Contact your local rescue group and ask how you can help raise money for spay/neuter, as well as other animal welfare causes.
4. Spread the news! Encourage others you know to make the choice to have their dog or cat neutered.
On a very positive note…on April 1st, TCAP announced that it has sterilized 55,000 dogs and cats since its beginning in 2002. According to www.cats.com, one female and her offspring can produce over 420,000 in seven years. Keeping this statistic in mind, TCAP has prevented the births of millions and millions of unwanted cats and dogs in the last 7 years! TCAP runs a low cost spay/neuter clinic in Denton, as well as a location in Ft. Worth. They offer services five days a week, including low cost vaccinations.
As I drove by a park today, I counted the neighborhood cats who live nearby. I was able to see a total of 9. One black and white female looked very pregnant, another huge orange tabby was clearly an unneutered male. I shake my head and wonder what will happen to these guys, these innocent lives who have no voice. Each cat is too wild to even approach, and those who are friendly have little chance of finding a good home, as the number of animals in need greatly exceeds the people who want them. Every community across the nation has a swarming supply of unwanted animals, all present because at some point a human choice was made not to spay/neuter their pet. Let’s do better by our animal friends!
For information on TCAP’s low cost programs, contact them in Denton at 713 Sunset Street, 940-566-5551. For additional information on spay/neuter, low cost programs, or volunteer opportunities, contact Denton Humane Society at 940-382-PETS or www.dentonhumanesociety.org.
