To Breed or Not to Breed:
The Truth About Having Your Pet Spayed or Neutered

• Myth: It is easy to find homes for puppies and kittens.
  
• Fact: If you are lucky enough to be able to place your kittens there are a few things to remember. For every human born there are 7 puppies and Kittens born and right now there are an estimated 15 million animals being euthanized each year and Millions more that are abandoned. Approximately 61% of all dogs and 75% of all cats entered into a shelter never get adopted and are killed.
  
  
• Myth: A pet should have at least on litter before being spayed.
  
• Fact: One female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in 7 years. It is much healthier and less expensive to spay or neuter your pet at 5-6 months of age. It eliminates the risks involved in pregnancy and the cost of caring for litters of kittens or puppies.
  
  
• Myth: Breeding is a good way to earn money.
  
• Fact: You won't become a millionaire raising puppies and kittens. As a matter of fact most breeders lose money. Several visits to your veterinarian are in order to ensure a healthy litter.
  
  
• Myth: Spaying and neutering will alter my pets personality. Neutering a male will take away his masculinity.
  
• Fact: Spaying and neutering merely eliminates hormones that can lead to roaming, aggression, and negative behavior. Neutered males have a less likely chance of getting testicular cancer and reduces prostate problems. Spaying females reduces chances of getting ovarian cancer or pyometra (infection of the uterus).

If you are considering breeding there is a checklist you should go through before making you final decision.

1. Is your dog a purebred?
2. Did you get your dog from a breeder?
3. Did you get a three to five generation pedigree with your dog?
4. Are there at least four title dogs (conformation, tracking, obedience, etc.) in the last three generations?
5. Does your dog have a stable temperament?
6. Does your dog fit the breed standard?
7. Is your dog healthy and certified (OFA, CERF) free of genetic diseases?

If you answer no to any of these questions...
Get your pet neutered!