February is Spay and Neuter Awareness Month! So we’re here to educate you on the importance of “fixing,” in other words, removing the reproductive organs of, your pet.
For the average pet owner, an un-spayed/neutered dog means you run the risk of having your pet impregnated or having them impregnate another dog, which can result in a shotgun wedding and years of residual resentment from your doggie mother-in-law.
But in all seriousness, having your pet fixed is not debilitating to their masculinity or femininity. Spaying or neutering your pet is a responsible, economical, and seamless procedure that saves lives and keeps shelters empty, which is a very good thing.
Quick Facts:
Some quick statistics courtesy of the Greenwood Humane Society:
- Dogs can have up to two litters a year. The average momma can yield five-six puppies in a litter. That’s a lot of puppy poop!
- Female dogs can become pregnant as young as five months old. The best time to fix your pet is usually between four-six months old, which is the earliest the procedure can be done.
- 50% of litters are unplanned. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as peeing on a stick to find out if your pup is preggers, so if you think she might be carrying babies then you’ll have to consult your vet.
LA’s Homeless Pet Problem
Photo by Sasha Sashina on Unsplash
There are thousands of homeless pets in Los Angeles alone. LA Animal Services publishes a monthly Woof Report that shows thousands of animals passing through their doors every month. Spaying and neutering help lower animal homelessness rates because there are fewer unwanted pregnancies and therefore, unwanted dogs.
You may think that because your dog or cat has a home, they are less prone to becoming pregnant. But one outdoor escapade or dog park encounter can result in an unwanted litter of puppies.
Additionally, it’s important to have your dog fixed if you want to socialize them. Intact dogs secrete hormones that can make their opposite sex a little cuckoo. For instance, females in heat give off a hormone called Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate. It’s so strong that male dogs are meant to smell it from miles away, and are biologically ingrained to become aroused when they smell it.
As the stewards of these animals, it’s our duty to make sure they’re reproduced responsibly.
Getting Your Pet Spayed and Neutered
Luckily, Los Angeles has several spay and neuter services to help combat unplanned pregnancy. Some services make it so easy, that you don’t even have to get off your couch if you don’t want to. Additionally, there are many spay and neuter services available with flexible payment options. The homeless pet crisis has reached such proportions that some vets even offer the service for free on occasion.
This is a quick and harmless procedure that every responsible pet owner should have done for their dog or cat.
Spay/Neuter Clinics:
- South Los Angeles Spay/Neuter Clinic
- West Los Angeles Spay/Neuter Clinic
- Harbor Spay/Neuter Clinic
- Pasadena Humane Society
- ASPCA
- Mercy Crusade
Mobile Services:
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Please be an advocate for Spay and Neuter Awareness Month, and help educate your friends and family on the importance of unwanted pet pregnancy!
Originally published on 2/20/18. Updated on 2/18/20.