The humane solution to the uncontrolled animal propagation problem, which is accepted by all animal welfare organizations around the world, is spaying and neutering
Those of us concerned with the welfare of animals, come face to face with the propagation of homeless cats and dogs every day. Unfortunately, the number of people who adopt a pet is far smaller than the number of abandoned animals. The result is overcrowding, animals that have to reside in cages for long periods of time, or a life of suffering on the streets and, oftentimes, euthanasia.
According to estimates, tens of thousands of dogs are abandoned in Israel every year. Some are brought to organizations and kennels and some are simply abandoned on the street. On top of that, there are over 2 million stray cats who are breeding uncontrollably. Despite the fact that some see them as part of the urban landscape, their quality of life is extremely poor. We believe that their place is not on the streets, and since we humans are the ones that domesticated them, we are the ones that must take responsibility for them and take action to rectify the harm and injury caused by these actions.
Life on the streets: A dog or a cat left to breed unchecked can give birth twice a year. Within a few years, the mother and her offspring will have produced thousands of puppies or kittens. Many are abandoned and live in the streets, where they are exposed to multiple dangers: exposure to the hot sun or the cold, hunger, fatal contagious illnesses, injuries and broken bones from accidents or fights, abuse from heartless people, poisoning etc. Even small cuts or light penetrative wounds can turn into rampant infections and festering wounds, which without the appropriate medical treatment can lead to an agonizing death.
Personal responsibility: Owners who do not spay or neuter their pets find it difficult to find homes for the offspring born in their homes. In many cases these young animals are separated from their mothers at too young an age and the people who adopt them don’t always understand the great responsibility entailed in raising them. Due to the pets’ not being house-trained, howling and wailing and ruining possessions, they end up being passed from hand to hand and often end up on the streets.
If you are raising a dog or a cat or feeding street cats, please make sure they are spayed or neutered. On top of the health benefits of these procedures, you will be helping to reduce the uncontrolled propagation and ultimate suffering of the young that cannot find warm homes.
Spaying and neutering operations: The humane solution to the uncontrolled animal propagation problem, which is accepted by all animal welfare organizations around the world, is spaying and neutering. These medical procedures are performed under full anesthesia, and the recovery is very rapid.
Advantages: Spaying and neutering operations have many advantages: the life expectancy of a spayed or neutered animal goes up, its quality of life improves and the chance of catching diseases is significantly reduced. Spayed females become calmer, do not attract males and do not bleed. Neutered males become less aggressive. Their tendency to run away, roam around and chase after females in heat is reduced; they do not fight with other males and do not cause a nuisance to their owners or the environment. Neutered cats are less likely to mark their territory.
Additionally, owners of spayed and neutered dogs pay a lower annual license fee, and above all – owners who spay and neuter their pets do not need to find homes for any offspring born in their homes and so prevent propagation and the suffering of future generations.
The SPCA veterinary clinic offers spaying and neutering surgery at affordable prices, alongside other veterinary treatments. These procedures are performed at the clinic every weekday by professional veterinarians.
To book an appointment for spaying or neutering, please call *4553.
It is important to note that for decades, SPCA policy has dictated that no animal be given up for adoption before it has been spayed or neutered.
