1. Only 44% of animals that come into our shelter are already spayed or neutered.
2. Woods alters more than 4,000 animals per year.
3. Woods spays/neuters all dogs and cats for both Woods’ Adoption Centers and SLO County Animal Services Division.
4. Woods receives no funding from the government.
5. A donation of just $25 can help us spay/neuter one homeless cat and prevent an estimated 12 kittens per year from being born without a home or medical care.
6. A spay surgery is for female cats and dogs.
7. A spay surgery can take as little as four minutes to perform and animals often feel recovered by the next day.
8. Dogs and cats receive a spay/neuter tattoo along with their surgery.
9. Neutering will cause behavioral changes.
10. It's better to have one litter before spaying a female pet.
11. Neutering will make my pet feel like less of a male.
12. Spaying and neutering is unhealthy for pets.
13. If my pets have babies, I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.
14. Spaying and neutering will cause my pets to gain weight.
15. Spay or neuter surgery is expensive.
1.Only 44% of animals that come into our shelter are already spayed or neutered.
Fact!
2. Woods alters more than 4,000 animals per year.
Fact!
3. Woods spays/neuters all dogs and cats for both Woods’ Adoption Centers and SLO County Animal Services Division.
Fact!
4. Woods receives no funding from the government.
Fact!
5. A donation of just $25 can help us spay/neuter one homeless cat and prevent an estimated 12 kittens per year from being born without a home or medical care.
Fact! Donations to Project M.E.O.W. allow us to offer subsidized spay/neuter services for community cats for just $25.
6. A spay surgery is for female cats and dogs.
Fact!
7. A spay surgery can take as little as four minutes to perform and animals often feel recovered by the next day.
Fact!
8. Dogs and cats receive a spay/neuter tattoo along with their surgery.
Fact! These tattoos identify animals as being already spayed/neutered so that if the animal gets separated from its owner in the future, shelters and vets will know it does not need a spay surgery.
9. Neutering will cause behavioral changes.
Fact! Unneutered cats and dogs are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Unneutered dogs also have a tendency to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects. All of these above behaviors may change when your pet is fixed—which is a good thing! Neutering can help avoid some aggression problems or undesirable behaviors caused by a higher level of testosterone.
10. It's better to have one litter before spaying a female pet.
Myth! Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Spaying female dogs and cats before their first heat cycle eliminates their risk of ovarian or uterine cancer, and it also greatly reduces their risk of breast cancer.
11. Neutering will make my pet feel like less of a male.
Myth! Pets do not have any concept of ego or sexual identity, and neutering won’t change that. What might change, however, is that your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home! An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways to escape from the house. Once he’s free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.
12. Spaying and neutering is unhealthy for pets.
Myth! Just the opposite! Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are cancerous in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. Spay/neuter will help your pet live a longer, healthier life.
13. If my pets have babies, I am on my own to find good homes for all of the puppies and kittens.
Myth! You may find homes for your pets' puppies and kittens, but Woods Humane Society is always here as a resource if you need help. We will waive surrender fees for the litter of puppies or kittens and offer a spay for the mom at a significantly subsidized cost.
14. Spaying and neutering will cause my pets to gain weight.
Myth! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds – not spaying and neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
15. Spay or neuter surgery is expensive.
Myth! Woods Humane Society offers high quality, affordable spay and neuter services at the Daphne Fahsing Spay & Neuter Clinic at Woods Humane Society North County in Atascadero or at Woods Humane Society in San Luis Obispo. Schedule your spay or neuter appointment today at SpaySLOCounty.com.
