Did You Know?

• 1 dog and its litter can produce 67,000 dogs in just 6 years!
• 1 cat and its litter can produde 420,000 cats in just 7 years!
• An October 2, 2006 article in the Waterville Maine Morning Sentinel reported “Between 50% and 80% of cats in Maine animal shelters will be killed”

What can you do to help alleviate pet overpopulation in Maine?

A: Spay and Neuter your cats and dogs!

Spay or Neuter Your Cat   By Karen Sueda, DVM

Spaying or neutering is one of the greatest gifts you can provide your pet and your family. These routine medical procedures not only help control pet overpopulation, but they may also prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing, allowing your cat to lead a longer, healthier and happier life.

What is spaying? What is neutering?

Spaying is the surgical removal of a female cat’s ovaries and uterus, while neutering is the removal of a male cat’s testicles. While both operations are conducted routinely with few complications, only licensed veterinarians are allowed to perform them. Prior to surgery, your veterinarian may carry out a complete physical examination of your cat or draw a sample of his blood for analysis. To minimize pain and discomfort, both spaying and neutering are conducted while your cat is under general anesthesia.

Following surgery, your veterinarian will instruct you on how to care for your cat while he is recovering. Most cats are back to normal within a few days. The surgery site usually heals within two weeks and any skin stitches are removed at a follow-up appointment with your vet.

Why should I spay or neuter my cat?

Spaying or neutering your cat prevents unwanted births and reduces the infl uence of sex hormones on your pet’s behavior. Millions of unwanted animals end up in shelters or on the streets each year. Only a lucky few are adopted; the rest are either euthanized or die from trauma, exposure, starvation or disease. By spaying or neutering your cat, you do your part to prevent this tragedy.

Behavior problems can also be prevented or minimized by spaying or neutering your cat. Sexual behavior in both male and female cats is reduced following surgery. In most male cats, regardless of their age when neutered, neutering reduces roaming, urine spraying, and fights with neighborhood cats. The plaintive howling of female cats in heat is eliminated. Overall, cats who are sexually intact are at greater risk of being relinquished to a shelter.

Will my cat’s personality change?

Other than the previously mentioned behavior changes, spaying or neutering your cat is unlikely to change his or her basic personality, though male cats may become more docile following neutering. Cats’ hunting skills, playfulness, and general levels of activity, excitement, and vocalization do not typically change following spay/neuter surgery.