I should let my female have a litter before I spay her
It has been proven that spaying and neutering before your pet reaches sexual maturity decreases the chance of many diseases as well as lessens the chance of unwanted behavior i.e. spraying, marking and aggression. It is now agreed upon by experts sterilization before 6 months is not only safe but encouraged. The SNIP van is staffed by pediatric spay/neuter specialists, meaning so long as your pet is over 2 pounds and over 10 weeks they are ready for surgery. Doing the surgery at this young age is actually easier for the animals and the recovery time is less that if done at an older age.
My pet will get fat and lazy
Neutering or spaying may diminish your pet's overall activity level, natural
tendency to wander, and hormonal balances, which may influence appetite. Pets that become fat and lazy after being altered usually are overfed and do not get enough exercise.
We want another pet just like Rover and Fluffy
Breeding two purebred animals rarely results in offspring that are exactly
like one of the parents. With mixed breeds, it is virtually impossible to have offspring that are exactly like one of the parents.
My pet's personality will change
Any change will be for the better. After being altered, your pet will be less aggressive toward other dogs or cats, have a better personality, and will be less likely to wander. Spraying (urine marking), which is often done by dogs and cats to mark their territory, diminishes or ceases after pets are altered.
We can sell puppies or kittens and make money
Even well-known breeders are fortunate if they break even on raising purebred litters. The cost of raising such a litter -- which includes stud fees, vaccinations and other health care costs, and feeding a quality food -- consumes most of the "profit. Plus it can put your pet at risk for STD's (YES! dogs and cats can get sexually transmitted diseases) and other medical problems
My children should witness our pet giving birth
Pets often have their litters in the middle of the night or in a place of their own choosing. Because pets need privacy when giving birth, any unnecessary intrusion can cause the mother to become seriously upset. These intrusions can result in an unwillingness to care for the offspring or in injury to the owners or to the pet. Volunteer at a shelter with your children. They will learn more about life and respect then any live birth would teach them.
I am concerned about my pet undergoing anesthesia
Placing a pet under anesthesia is a very common concern of owners. Although there is always a slight risk involved, the anesthetics currently used by veterinarians are very safe. Thus, the medical benefits of having your pet spayed or neutered far outweigh the slight risk involved with undergoing anesthesia. Consult your veterinarian if your are concerned about this aspect of the procedure.
