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Spaying and
neutering is one of the top ways to be a responsible pet owner. For those concerned
about the cost, many areas have low cost programs or assistance programs to help you cover
the costs. Adopters of un-neutered and un-spayed dogs and cats adopted from the Hillside SPCA
receive a substantial credit that will be deducted from the veterinarian's bill when the
procedure is done. In addition to the obvious benefit of reducing unwanted litters,
spaying and neutering can have wide-spread health benefits, too. It helps prevent
many reproductive organ cancers and dramatically cuts the risks of "roaming"
animals being killed on the highway since the urge to "roam" has been reduced. We encourage you to spay and neuter animals that you have as pets,
no matter where they came from. It is the LAW that you spay or neuter your animal if
it came from an animal shelter or humane society in Pennsylvania. Please call
us (570-622-7769) or visit us if you have any questions concerning cost, procedures
or
benefits. We will assist you in every way that we can.
If you would like to
sponsor a spay or neuter for an animal in residence at the Hillside SPCA,
you can click here for a form which you can
fill in and send with your donation.
SPAYING AND NEUTERING FACTS:
Neutering males is as important as spaying females. One male can
father many more puppies or kittens than any female can give birth to over a
lifetime. Neutering reduces the risks involved with "roaming", It also
reduces fighting and aggressive behavior and spraying.
Spayed and neutered animals tend to live longer since the risk of many
cancers and other disorders is prevented or reduced. Since neutering
reduces the urge to "roam", many animals have a much longer lifespan because
they are not running free, crossing streets and getting hit by cars,
ingesting poisons, etc.
Animals have no emotional need to reproduce. They don't
suffer emotionally from being neutered. Their personality does not depend on
motherhood... or fatherhood. They don't get fat and lazy after being neutered or
spayed if they get proper diet and exercise. The health risks of spaying and
neutering far outweigh the slight risk involved with the surgery.
You may think that if your dog or cat has puppies or kittens
you can find homes for them yourself but remember this. Many times there are 4, 5,
6, 7 or more offspring involved. Until it's time to find homes, you need to care for
them all. You need to help feed them, train them, pay for the food, veterinary care
- including worming and shots - and supplies... And when it comes time to find
homes... what if you can't? There are only so many homes to go around.
Think about this. It has been shown in animal welfare
studies that more than 11 million animals a year are taken into animal shelters.
Only about 4 million are adopted or returned to their home... That leaves 7 million
animals left to be care for by only 6,400 shelters across the nation. There are
approximately 5,500 animals born each hour in the United States. This is a massive
over-population problem and spaying and neutering is essential in reducing the birth rate.
If you think the cost of owning and caring for one or two
animals is high, the cost of running an animal shelter is staggering. The animals
need medical care, good food, vaccinations, operations and more. The buildings cost
money to maintain and operate, heat and cool. The monetary expense is high....
emotional expense is even higher. Every day - day in and day out - the
shelter staff and volunteers must deal with abused animals, sick and dying animals, the
emotional stress involved with the possibility of having to euthanize animals and more heartbreaking
situations than anyone should have to handle.
If you have questions on spaying or neutering or need more
information, we urge you to contact us at 570-622-7769 or visit us during our regular
hours. If you need financial assistance for spaying or neutering, we may be able to
provide help depending on your circumstances.
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