In a recent Facebook post, the Copper Country Humane Society (CCHS) reminded the public of the benefits, and necessity, of spaying and neutering pets. 

“Lately, we have had a huge influx of pregnant mama cats and tons of kittens,” the Humane Society wrote. “Please, please, please get your pets fixed! Animal overpopulation is a real problem and shelters all over are filling.” According to CCHS’s website, there are a variety of benefits that come with fixing household pets. 

First of all, it can help with your pet’s physical safety. Cats and dogs that are not fixed are more likely to roam, especially if they smell another animal that is not fixed. This can make keeping your pet inside a nightmare, as they may try to escape. Escaped pets often are killed by cars, or wander too far from home and can’t find their way back. This ‘roaming’ behavior can also lead to female pets coming back pregnant, or male pets impregnating multiple female pets in a neighborhood. This sudden influx of offspring contributes to overcrowding in shelters that have limited space and resources. 

Fixing pets can prevent other behaviors, such as ‘spraying’, where an animal, usually cats, urinates in an area to mark it as their territory. Unfixed animals have been shown to be more territorial, leading to more spraying. Additionally, excessive fighting or aggression can be helped with fixing. Unfixed pets are more likely to get into fights with other animals, leading to injuries, expensive vet bills, and, in some cases, legal trouble. 

Spaying your lovely lady dogs can keep them from bleeding when they’re in heat. It’s a much better solution than constantly cleaning up after them, or making them wear diapers that they may not like. Unspayed female cats also tend to cry a lot. When they are in heat, the yowling can become unbearable. Getting them spayed helps reduce the crying. 

Many pet owners argue that animals need to have at least one litter of puppies or kittens before they are fixed. CCHS noted that this isn’t the case. 

“Every time a pet goes through the heat cycle they are at a higher risk for breast and uterine infections,” CCHS writes. “We’ve had many nursing mamas get mastitis, and very often when we get older intact female dogs they are full of mammary tumors.” 

CCHS also points out that fixed animals are healthier overall. Spaying and neutering helps prevent cancer, tumors, cysts, and infections, along with prostate disease in male dogs. Getting pets fixed in a one-time procedure is much cheaper than suddenly having to care for a litter of puppies or kittens. CCHS has money set aside to help cover the costs of spaying and neutering animals for those in need. They can provide vouchers for the procedure, done at the Copper Country Vet Clinic in Northland. The procedures are very common, and so pose a low risk for your beloved pets.