 Consider the
Numbers: |
| 45 cats and 15 dogs are born for every 1
human being in the United States |
| More than 70,000 puppies and kittens are
born every day, compared with 10,000 human births each day in the United States |
The
reality of overpopulation: |
6-8 million dogs
& cats enter shelters yearly |
3-4 millions dogs
& cats are euthanized at shelters yearly |
25% of dogs in
shelters are purebreds |
Average number of
litters a fertile cat can produce yearly: 3 |
Average number of
kittens per litter: 4-6 |
In seven years,
one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats. |
Average number of
litters a fertile dog can produce yearly: 2 |
Average number of
puppies per litter: 6-10 |
In six years, one
female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs. |
|
 Thousands
of unwanted cats and dogs are put to death each year in Contra Costa County because there
are not enough homes for them all. You can save their lives by sterilizing your
companion animal.Consider the Facts:
Spaying (females) and Neutering (males)
 | Nearly eliminates the possibility of
mammary and uterine cancer in females and testicular problems in males. |
| Reduces the urge to roam and fight, which
means your animal will be less likely to be lost, injured, or hit by a car. |
| Discourages annoying habits like cats
spraying and dogs marking and mounting. |
| Eliminates the risk of pregnancy and birth
(which is greater than the risk of surgery). |
| Equates to lower licensing fees for dogs. |
| Makes for happier, healthier companions who
live longer. |
| Early-age spay/neuter can be performed as
early as 8-weeks of age. Your animal recovers quicker and the procedure is
less-invasive due to their size. |
| Saves lives because sterilized
animals can't breed. |
Understanding the
Myths:
| Spaying and neutering does not make your
animal fat. Rather, overfeeding and lack of exercise are the causes for overweight
animals. |
| Spaying and neutering does not cause your
animal health and/or emotional problems. Animals do not have the emotional
attachment to their reproductive organs as humans would assume. |
| If you think you're in the clear because
you have a male, understand that it only take a few minutes for animals to breed.
One unneutered male can be solely responsible for dozens of offspring in just one year. |
| It's not possible to keep an eye on your
unspayed female every minute of the day, and again, all it takes for her to become
pregnant is a few minutes. Unneutered males have the scent capabilities to find her
when she is in heat. |
| If you have a purebred animal, know that
25-35% of the dogs euthanized in shelters are purebreds. Purebreds, as well as their
offspring, are also subject to overpopulation and overbreeding. |
| For every home you find for the
puppies and kittens you allow your animal to have, a home has been taken away from a
shelter animal waiting for a home before being euthanized. Overpopulation is a
result of overbreeding! Please don't allow an animal to enter this world only to be
killed. |
| If you would like your family to witness
the miracle of birth, please do so through an interactive learning source or video.
Unless you are prepared to show them the reality and consequences of overpopulation -
animals being put to death - this lesson is counterproductive and dangerous. |
|
Please note that CCHS
does not operate a veterinary clinic. SNAP works with local, affordable
veterinary hospitals that perform these surgeries. For information, referrals to
low-cost veterinary clinics, borrowing cat traps, or financial assistance call (925)
279-2247, ext. 305.
Do you have a pit bull or pit bull mix you'd like to spay or neuter? If so, our Pit
Stop program will offer financial assistance for your dog. You may also receive a
free dog bowl and tennis ball for your beloved four-legged (per dog). Please contact
our Spay/Neuter Assistance Program at (925) 279-2247, ext. 305.
Spay/Neuter surgeries
are performed at low-cost veterinary clinics throughout Contra Costa County. Each
animal that is funded through CCHS's SNAP program costs CCHS an average of $52.00*. Between September 2006 and August 2007, SNAP paid for 330 spay and neuter surgeries for both feral and companion animals and
referred countless others toward helpful resources.
The need for this work
continues. If you'd like to contribute to SNAP's mission of ending pet
overpopulation and homelessness, please consider making a donation.
Neuter.
Spay. It's the ONLY way.
E-mail SNAP
* This is an average cost and
takes into account both spays and neuters for cats, dogs, and rabbits. CCHS does not
operate a veterinary clinic and does not perform these surgeries. This is the
average cost reimbursed to local, affordable veterinary hospitals with which CCHS's SNAP
program works.
