The Placencia Humane Society in June
by Bob Thomas
 
In June, this peninsula shifts gears and all thoughts focus on Lobsterfest!  It was no surprise then, that the June Clinic was a rather relaxed one.  It provided some time to reflect on some of the questions that are frequently asked and sometimes difficult to answer when the clinic is busy.  Each month, this platform will try to address a different matter of interest. 

Dr Floyd Bennet was the attending vet again this month.
For those who like to know, the June Clinics Statistics are:

Spays - 1 cat
Neuters - 2 dogs
Dental Procedures - 4
4/1 shots - 2
6/1 shots - 22
Rabies - 11
Memberships - 1 Patron
Total people served - Sat 13
                               Sun 17
 
An often difficult decision for pet owners is whether to spay or neuter their pet.  Concerns range from, "Will my pet get fat and lazy"', to "I don't want my male dog or cat to feel less like a male".  Well, why should you spay or neuter.  Simply put, pet health and over population are the two main reasons.  Let's address over population first. Consider these statistics as to how just one litter can result in hundreds to thousands of unwanted pets.
 While you digest those staggering numbers, let's look at the benefits spay/neuter has on your pet. Spaying/neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by eliminating or reducing health problems that can be both very expensive and often fatal.  Spaying your female pet before she goes into heat the first time reduces the risk of breast cancer and eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer in your dog.  Neutered males will not developer testicular cancer and their risk of prostrate cancer is greatly reduced.

Spaying/neutering you pet has benefits for you pet owners too.  Spayed/neutered pets are, typically, better behaved and more calm.  Male cats are less likely to spray urine and mark their territory.  Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle, thereby eliminating bleeding, and the incessant crying and nervous behaviour that often accompanies the heat cycle.  Neutering decreases the pets desire to escape and wander the neighbourhood in search of a mate.  This decreases the risk of fights, and death caused by getting hit by cars.  Spaying keeps unwanted males away.

Remember those "concerns" I mentioned at the beginning of this article?  Here are several that we often hear.

My pet will get fat and lazy. The truth is, pets get fat and lazy due to over feeding and lack of exercises.
It's better to have just one litter first.  Medical evidence suggests just the opposite.  Females spayed before the first heat are typically healthier.
The children should experience the miracle of birth.  It is unlikely that the children will see a pet give birth, since it usually occurs at night and in seclusion.  Perhaps it would be better to explain to the children that sometimes the miracle of life is that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of many more.
But my pet is a purebred.  So is about one out of four pets brought to animal shelters.  There are just too many dogs and cats - mixed and purebred alike.
I want my dog to be protective.  Spaying or neutering does not effect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family.  A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.
I don't want my male dog or cat to fell less like a male.  Pets have no concept of sexual identity or ego.  Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality.  He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.
My pet is so special that I want a puppy/kitten just like him/her.  A dog or cat may be the world's best pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring will be anything like her.  The truth is, an entire litter might receive all of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics.
It is too expensive to have my pet spay or neutered.  Whatever the actual price, it is a one-time cost.  It's a relatively small cost when compared to all the benefits.  It's a real bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and the litter; two months of pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add up in cost and aggravation.
I'll find a good home for all the puppies and kittens.  You just may.  But each home that takes one is one less home for dogs that already need a home. 

Overpopulation starts one litter at a time.

The Placencia Humane Society is here to help those who might not be able to afford the entire cost of the spay or neuter procedure.

If you need to contact PHS please call;
For surgeries scheduling etc contact Pat Rarrick @ 610-0522
Rescues & adoptions etc contact Pam Thomas @ 629-3599 or Shannon Romero @ 600-2473