MYTH:"It's better for my pet to have one litter before I spay or neuter." FACT:Medical evidence indicates just the opposite.
In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier and have reduced possibility of developing breast cancer.
MYTH:"My children should experience the miracle of pet birth." FACT:Most pets give birth in seclusion.
Your cats and dogs may end up retreating to a private area when giving birth. They will appreciate your watchful presence after the process is finished, but should be left alone during the birth (unless absolutely necessary). Over-stressing an animal during labor can cause complications, and the mother could reject her newborns. Young children pose a significant risk to kittens and puppies, and should not handle any pets younger than five to six weeks old.
MYTH:"If we spay or neuter, my pet will gain weight and lose energy!" FACT:Spaying and Neutering keeps pets healthy.
What are the most important parts of a long and happy life? A healthy diet and regular exercise. Spaying and neutering can extend the lifespan of your pet by up to six years, and helps prevent a litany of cancers and diseases. Fixing an adult pet may slow their metabolism for up to six months after the procedure, so be sure to watch their calorie intake during this time.
MYTH:"If we spay our purebred animal, we might regret it!" FACT:One of every four pets in a shelter is purebred.
You simply cannot sacrifice the well-being of your current pet for a potential litter of puppies or kittens you may never see. Please leave the breeding to the professionals. There will always be more pets.
MYTH:"My dog won't protect me if we spay or neuter." FACT:Dogs are natural protectors.
Your dog's ability to protect you is typically determined by its breed, upbringing, and personality, rather than if it is spayed or neutered. On the contrary, pets who are not spayed or neutered can act aggressively and unpredictably towards anyone, even friends and family members.
MYTH:"I don't want my male pet to feel emasculated" FACT:It is an animal.
Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He will not suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. They simply see it as if it were a wound like any other, and forget once healed.
MYTH:"My pet is special, and I need another just like them!" FACT:Your pet will not create clones.
Even if you love your pet, their offspring will be completely different from them. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can't guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet owner's chances are even slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of puppies or kittens might receive all of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics.
MYTH:"It's too expensive to spay or neuter!" FACT:We at the ADL are here to help.
If you live in Washington County, Virginia or the surrounding area, we at the ADL provide financial assistance to those looking to spay/neuter their pets. Otherwise, we recommend calling your local shelter for information on nearby spay/neuter assistance. Spaying or neutering your pet is the single most important choice you can make to protect their life and many others.
MYTH:"I'll re-home all of the kittens or puppies!" FACT:Each new animal is another potential litter.
You may find homes for all of your pet's litter; but each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters that need good homes. The longer they sit in shelters, the higher the risk of being euthanized. Also, in less than one year's time, each of your pet's offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population.
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