Do it for your pet

Every year, millions of homeless cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are put to death or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented through spay/neuter procedures.

For both you and your pet, the health, social and financial benefits, to spay or neuter far exceed not doing so.  In the long run, an unaltered pet will most likely cost far more to properly care for than one that is spayed or neutered.

Benefits of Spaying your female cat:

  • Increase a more healthy feline lifetime 3-5 years
  • Risk of mammary gland, ovarian, uterine tumors/ cancer, uterine infections and false pregnancies is reduced or eliminated, especially if done before the first heat cycle. Cost of veterinary care/diagnosis for the above far exceeds that of a spay procedure.
  • The cost of a spay surgery is far less than the cost to properly care for a pregnant/nursing cat and her litter.
  • No heat cycles, therefore:
    • Males will not be attracted to your home.
    • No spotting/soiling.
    • Less desire to roam.
  • During breeding season, female cats may come into heat every 2-3 weeks. During heat cycle, cats will be more irritable and nervous than usual, may even become aggressive and damage furniture or scratch people. In an effort to advertise for mates, female cats will howl, rub excessively and urinate more frequently.
  • Reduces number of unwanted or homeless cats/kittens.

Benefits of Neutering your male cat:

  • Increase a more healthy feline lifetime 3-5 years
  • Risk of testicular cancer is eliminated, and decreases incidence of prostate disease.  Cost of veterinary care/diagnosis for the above far exceeds that of neuter procedure.
  • Reduces or eliminates acts of spraying.
  • Less desire to roam. Intact male cats living outside have been shown to live, on average, less than two years. Feline Immunodeficiency Syndrome is spread by bites and intact cats fight a great deal more than altered cats.
  • A neutered male will be much better behaved. Neutered cats focus their attention on their human families.
  • Decreases aggressive behavior, including scratching or bites
  • Reduces number of unwanted or homeless cats/kittens.

Benefits of Spaying your female dog:

  • Increase a more healthy canine lifetime 1-3 years
  • Risk of mammary gland, ovarian, uterine tumors / cancer, uterine infections and false pregnancies is reduced or eliminated, especially if done before the first heat cycle. Cost of veterinary care/diagnosis for the above exceeds a spay procedure.
  • The cost of a spay surgery is far less than the cost to properly care for a pregnant/nursing dog and her litter.
  • No heat cycles, therefore:
    • Males will not be attracted to your home. An unneutered male can detect a female in heat over a mile way.  A male in pursuit of a female in heat can dig holes, jump fences, even break windows or doors seeking to breed
    • No spotting/soiling.
    • Less desire to roam.
    • Heat periods occur twice a year and last about 3 weeks each    time.  During heat dogs will be more irritable and nervous than usual, and may even become aggressive and damage furniture or attack strangers.
  • Reduces number of unwanted or homeless dogs/puppies

Benefits of Neutering your male dog:

  • Increase a more healthy canine lifetime 1-3 years
  • Risk of testicular cancer is eliminated, and decreases incidence of prostate disease. Cost of veterinary care/diagnosis for the above exceeds a neuter procedure.
  • 90% less desire to roam, jump or dig out of your property, therefore less likely to be injured in fights or auto accidents.  Surveys show that 85% of dogs hit by cars are unaltered.  Your pet could be killed or require veterinary care and expences.
  • 90% less likely to roam, causing public nuisance by soiling parks and streets, ruining landscaping, frightening children and elderly people, creating noise, other disturbances, or often causing auto accidents.
  • An unneutered dog responding to the overwhelming urge and frustration to reproduce, will  often become nervous and irritable, perhaps picking fights with other dogs, or can become lethargic, less responsive to his owner, stop eating, or act ill or depressed. This is not a happy dog.
  • Reduces aggression towards other people, livestock or other pets  on or off your property, including dog bites. Liability issues arise.
  • Your neutered male will be much better behaved. Neutered dogs focus their attention on their human families.
  • Reduces or eliminates risk of marking home or property
  • Reduces “riding” inappropriate objects
  • If you also have a female dog that is not spayed you will have litters of puppies and the costs incurred which far exceed a spay or neuter procedure.
  • Reduces number of unwanted or homeless dogs/puppies.

PLEASE consider donating to SPCA MAUI today and help us make a difference for those animals that are suffering and helpless. They deserve better. Please show you care. Donate now!