Myths and Facts...	The Iberia Humane Society "Have a Heart"
	The Myths and the Facts About Spaying or Neutering Your Pet Almost 10 times as many dogs and cats are born as there are homes that want them. Thousands of unwanted animals must be killed each year in our community. You can help. Spaying or neutering your pet will help solve the problem of animal overpopulation. Click here for prices on our low-cost spay and neuter program. MYTHS FACTS "My animal should have one litter before she's spayed." Fact: That one litter will contribute to the animal overpopulation problem. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that female dogs and cats be spayed before their first "heat" period and recognizes neutering at eight weeks as a safe and humane method of population control. "We'll find a good home for each puppy or kitten." Fact: Because of the tremendous overpopulation of dogs and cats, whenever you allow a kitten or puppy to be born, you are responsible for the death of another animal. Each animal that you place will take a home away from a homeless puppy or kitten in an animal shelter. "The surgery costs too much." Fact: In almost every community, veterinarians and animal agencies are working together to provide spaying and neutering at a reduced fee. Check with your local humane society about low-cost programs. "The surgery is painful." Fact: Spaying and neutering are safe operations, performed painlessly while your dog or cat is under general anesthesia. After surgery, there may be some discomfort, but most animals will fully recover within a few days. "Children should have the chance to watch puppies and kittens being born." Fact: The opportunity to watch an animal birth can be educational for children, but it is not worth bringing unwanted animal=2>The opportunity to watch an animal birth can be educational for children, but it is not worth bringing unwanted animals into a world that has no place for them. The price in suffering is too high. It is better for children to learn that we, as humans, need to take responsibility for what happens to our animal friends. "The humane society will take care of the animals I can't find homes for." Fact: Animal shelters do the best they can to find homes for the animals they have. The harsh reality is that most of the dogs and cats brought into public and private shelters must be destroyed. "Spaying and neutering will change my animals personality." Fact: Sterilization surgery does not change an animal's personality. Spayed and neutered animals, however, are more content and less likely to stray from home in search of a mate and become lost or injured. They are also more easily house trained and less aggressive. Do it for your pet: Spaying or neutering will...   make your animal a healthier and more contented companion. The surgery prevents certain types of cancer and other diseases in males and females. prevent the roaming, howling, and fights that happen when animals have the urge to mate allow you to save money each year. Many areas now have lower licensing fees for sterilized animals. In the District of Columbia, a license fee or a sterilized dog is $10 compared to the $55 fee for an unspayed female. You can have your dog spayed for about the same amount that you would pay to license an unspayed female for one year. help reduce the number of homeless animals that are destroyed each year. . Welcome Page | About Us | Available Pets | Special Needs Pets  Be my Guardian Angel | Pets and Sponsors | FAQ's | Help Links  | Spay/Neuter Program | Photos | Scheduled Events  E-Mail IberiaHumane@msis.net