SNIP! Spay or Neuter - It's a Priority

In Calgary there are more animals than responsible, loving, lasting homes because...

• Many people do not spay or neuter their pets and allow their pets to breed.
• The cost and inconvenience of spay or neuter surgery is thought to be prohibitive (but there is help available).
• Dogs and cats reach sexual maturity at an early age and can reproduce at an alarming rate.
• Most people believe they can find homes for their pets' offspring (but that's simply not true).
• Many believe the following: that females should have one heat and one litter; neutered animals are fat and lazy; the animal's personality changes when neutered, and children should see the miracle of birth (but these are MYTHS).

The Calgary Humane Society is committed to reducing the pet overpopulation problem, because every animal deserves a caring home with responsible people.

The Truth About Neutering

It's Good for Your Pet
A neutered animal ('neutering' applies to males and females) has a greater chance of staying in good health and enjoying a long life. Females' heat cycles and bloody discharge are eliminated. Neutering ends the animal's crying, howling, nervous pacing and frantic efforts to get out and find a mate. It eliminates or reduces the incidence of disease, infection and cancer of the reproductive system as well as prostate gland problems in male dogs. Females do not benefit from having one litter and it's too much food and not enough exercise that make animals overweight and less active.

It's Good for You
Neutered pets are more sociable and affectionate. They tend to be calmer and more content to stay at home with their human families. If you have more than one pet in the household, neutering will likely help them all get along better.

It's Good for Your Community
The Calgary Humane Society takes in between 10,000 and 13,000 homeless and unwanted animals every year. Countless others suffer in the streets from cold, starvation, disease, poisoning and cruelty. Most of these victims are the offspring of family pets. By having your pet spayed or neutered, and encouraging others to do the same, you reduce the number of cats and dogs condemned to live without homes and without love!

What Can You Do?

• Have your own pets neutered.
• Encourage friends, family and neighbours to have their pets neutered.
• Donate to support the programs of the Calgary Humane Society.
• Help the animals currently looking for homes - adopt from the Calgary Humane Society and encourage friends and family to do the same.

When to Neuter Your Pet

Traditionally the age of 6 months has been thought to be the most appropriate time to neuter your pet. Currently, however, many humane societies are implementing early age spay/neuter policies. Studies show little or no negative effects for animals neutered at 7 to 8 weeks of age. Pediatric neutering would sharply decrease the number of unwanted litters. Talk to your veterinarian about this CVMA approved procedure.