Euthanasia: Mercy Killing
1.2 million dogs are euthanized each year. This is a truly horrendous number. Lost, lonely, sad dogs dying in shelters because humans are careless and thoughtless. There are no polite and inoffensive words to use to describe the purposeful overpopulation of animals. It is an expense to spay or neuter your dog, but it is necessary to drive down the dog deaths and unnecessary suffering of innocent animals. This is not a message that can be soft-soaped, it is a tragedy. There are shelters that can give you coupons for discounts or arrange for free spay and neuter. There are an untold number of vets who spay and neuter for low cost clients and charities that will cover the costs. In today’s world, leaving a dog unaltered is inexcusable. If you need help, seek help. People and organizations that love dogs make it their mission to get dogs off the street into homes, and free from the stress of getting pregnant with unwanted puppies. It has been theorized that one female dog and her offspring, at 6-10 puppies per litter, per dog, can produce 67,000 puppies over a 6 year period. That is a terrifying statistic in the unwanted puppy population.
When you spay or neuter your pet, you help take control of his or her future and aid in controlling the homeless pet disaster. In addition to helping with the numbers, you can help your pet have a happier life. Spaying a female helps with the following:
– Your female will live longer
– You reduce the risk of uterine infections
– Risk of breast tumors is reduced
Neutering a male can help with these issues:
– Prevention of testicular cancer
– Reduces the risk of prostate diseases
The behavioral benefits are vast in number. Dogs thrive on reward and being penalized for bad behavior is like torture for them. Helping your dog to a system of better behavior is good for you and great for the dog.
Some of the behavioral benefits are as follows:
– A spayed female will urinate less and will be less inclined to mark spots around the house
– A neutered male is less likely to venture from home
– A neutered male are much less likely to mark their territory inside the house
– Neutering at an early age can reduce aggression
The right age to spay or neuter your dog is six to nine months. If your dog has a health issue, this may change the window. Please discuss this with your vet or the shelter. Dogs can be altered at any age, but the older they get, the more risk is posed with a the surgery and recovery. Dogs get fixed every day and every day, they go home to the arms of their loving family. When you are cuddled up with your sweet little baby, think about all those dogs who are alone and on the street and know you made the right decision for your dog and all the other dogs roaming the streets.
