February is “Spay/Neuter Awareness Month,” a campaign created by the Humane Society of the United States to increase awareness of spay/neuter as an effective way to save the lives of companion animals. As promoters of this life-saving program, The Kauai
February is “Spay/Neuter Awareness Month,” a campaign created by the Humane Society of the United States to increase awareness of spay/neuter as an effective way to save the lives of companion animals.
As promoters of this life-saving program, The Kauai Humane Society shares with you the following health benefits of spay/neuter for companion animals. In addition to spay/neuter being the most effective form (100 percent) of birth control for canines and felines, it can contribute to other health benefits for your family dog and cat.
A recent study (USA Today, May 2013) found that pets who live in states with the highest rates of spay/neutering also have the longest life span; dogs and cats that live in states with the lowest rates of spay/neutering have reduced longevity.
In female animals, having them spayed prior to their first heat helps reduces the risk of them contracting certain kinds of cancers (uterine cancer, mammary tumors) as they age.
For male companion animals, this procedure helps reduce the risk of prostate and testicle cancers. Also, there are behavorial health benefits to having your animal companion spayed/neutered: roaming, aggression, and territorial “marking” are reduced or eliminated in both dogs and cats after they have this procedure.
We encourage you to do your part to decrease pet overpopulation on Kauai and to increase the health benefits for your family dog and cat by having them spayed/neutered. For additional information on KHS low cost pet spay/neuter surgeries and our financial assistance program, visit www.kauaihumane.org.
