According to The National Council on Pet Population, there are nearly 8 million cats and dogs taken in by animal shelters each year.
According to the Humane Society, 25% of the latter are purebreds.
One of the leading causes behind this problem is that many owners fail to either spay or neuter their dogs.
As a result, millions of homeless pooches find their way to shelters.
The problem is that animal shelters are unable to absorb the inflow.
They simply lack the space.
Unfortunately, to help curb the issue, millions of canines must be euthanized.
In this article, we'll explore three reasons to spay or neuter your pooch.
#1 - Protecting The Community There are a lot of canines roaming the streets.
Left to their own devices, they'll often get into trash bins (spilling them over in the process) and defecate on homeowners' lawns or neighborhood sidewalks.
They can even become a danger to residents, threatening to attack them.
Spaying and neutering prevents your dog from adding to the problem.
You can ensure that that he doesn't sire puppies who grow up on the streets.
If your canine companion is a female, spaying can eliminate the issue of male dogs coming around your home or the immediate neighborhood.
#2 - Preventing Euthanization Spaying and neutering will help curb euthanization from animal shelters.
If your pooch doesn't contribute to the millions of homeless mutts that find their way into the shelters, there will be fewer to euthanize.
It's important to note that the people who work at these facilities do not want to euthanize canines.
It's simply a tragic reality of their overburdened space.
Hobbyist breeders add to the problem.
Owners will occasionally neglect neutering because they want to breed their dog.
Sometimes, they do it for profit.
Other times, they believe that each puppy in the litter will eventually find a home, even if for free.
When a suitable home fails to materialize, the owner takes the puppy (or puppies) to a shelter.
Breeding should not be considered a hobby; it should be left to professional breeders.
#3 - A More Pleasant And Healthier Pooch Research has shown that canines which are spayed or neutered typically deal with fewer health problems or behavioral issues.
They're less likely to run away, easier to train, and more responsive to their owners.
Each of these factors ultimately means that owners enjoy the companionship of a more pleasant pooch.
Today, there are very few reasons to avoid spaying or neutering your dog.
The procedure is performed while your pooch is under anesthesia and is a one-time event.
Plus, the cost of the operation is reasonable, especially given the advantages of having it performed.
If you're hesitant, review the three reasons above.
Spaying or neutering is a good idea for you, your dog, and your community.