The Simple Truth about Spaying and Neutering

a. Animals don't share our sexuality. They are not motivated by sexual pleasure, but rather by an instinct to breed. Unlike humans, they don't have sex for romance, for fun, out of guilt, aggression, depression, or joy; they don't have sex because they're happy, sad, angry, high, or just plain in love. For animals, it's not that complicated or convoluted. In fact, it's quite simple: the female animal goes into estrus (heat) and the male reacts to her pheromones which triggers the instinct to breed. (Mounting or "humping," outside of actual breeding, should not be confused with sex; it's about dominance.)

b. Male animals are not men and don't embody the concept of "manhood," though intact male dogs do tend to be more aggressive, high strung, and hard to handle.

c. Altered animals of either gender make better pets. They enjoy longer, healthier lives, and are more relaxed. Unspayed females have higher incidences of mammary tumors, uterine infections, and cancer. Unneutered males, in addition to demonstrating high levels of aggression and other behavioral pr oblems, have much higher probability of prostate cancer.

d. The cost of altering a dog can run from $50 to $150. If you shop around you may, no doubt, find a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in your area. Call your local SPCA and ask for a referral. If you're low on cash, ask your friends to pitch in. You'll be surprised at how responsive others will be.

e. 13 million animals are destroyed every year because of over population and our diminishing ability as humans to care for those animals that exist.

6. Children can witness the miracle of birth in any number of ways. Videos are available at public libraries, as well as endless opportunity for engaging conversation and interaction between parents and children.
   
   
7. There are so many other ways to educate children about the miracle of birth without enforcing a higher probability of death for more animals.
   
   
8. Would those unthinking adults who would have their children witness the miracle of birth by allowing a litter of puppies to be born, in the same turn, have their children witness the inevitability of death by allowing their children to see the destruction of unadoptable animals who are being killed every day simply because there are too many to manage?
   
   

We think not, and we don't recommend that children be privy to such heart- break.

But we do think that there is something very basic that every adult and child should know:

There are more dogs than homes for dogs, and because of This absolute truth, animals are dying needlessly at the hands of humans every day. Now, what's so natural about that?