Spaying and Neutering

There is a population explosion of epic proportions in the state of Georgia. Dogs and cats are currently breeding, largely unchecked, and this is adding numbers to already crowded shelters and rescues across the state. It is the job of the humans in Georgia to control the ever-growing population, and the kindest and most efficient method for that is spaying and neutering.

Spaying is the method of spaying a female animal, and neutering is the male method. Both are common procedures that veterinarians perform routinely. The procedure must be done in the vet's office since it requires putting the animal under general anesthesia. The animal will usually go home the same day, or might spend overnight with the vet.

The spay procedure involves surgically removing the female animal's ovaries, rendering her infertile. The male's testes are removed during neutering. With both surgeries the incisions are small and recovery is rapid. During the recovery period it is necessary for the animal to wear a cone around its neck to prevent it from being able to reach the incision and lick it. A surgical suit might also be an option, and is less confining for the animal.

On a side note, in about one to five percent of male cats and one to fifteen percent of male dogs, a condition exists which causes one or both of the testes to not descend into the scrotum. This make the neutering process a bit more complicated because the vet needs to make a small incision into the animal's belly to retrieve the undescended testicle. leaving it will also leave the animal still fertile and able to breed.

So what are the benefits of routine spaying and neutering:

1. Preventing unplanned litters -- the current overpopulation problem in Georgia is a direct result of unplanned litters of puppies and kittens

2. Curbing behavioral issues -- the male of the species, both dog and cat, will roam in search of a fertile female, and they can smell a female in heat several miles away. Besides the risk of unplanned litters, the roaming animal is in danger from fighting with other roaming males or being hit by cars

3. Aggressiveness -- fertile males can be more aggressive that neutered males. An intact (not neutered) male needs to assert his dominance over the other members of his species that might be nearby. The also like to 'mark their territory' by spraying small amounts of urine randomly around its environment. If the animal is indoors their environment includes your furniture and possessions.

Another important consideration relates to simple hygiene and cleanliness. An intact female animal in heat (their fertile period) will also bleed (similar to a human menstrual cycle) all over your house. You can keep a doggie diaper on her, or you can get her fixed (spayed).

So what if we choose not to spay and neuter our pets, allowing them to have litters whenever they please?

A female dog can have two litters each year, and each litter can contain one to fifteen puppies, depending on the age and breed of the dog. A female cat can produce three litters each year, wit each litter containing one to ten kittens, although the average is four to six. A female cat is fertile at four months. A female dog reaches fertility anywhere between six and twelve months, with smaller breeds usually maturing earlier.

And let's look at the math. Remember the 27,000 dogs who were euthanized in Georgia shelters in 2024? Let's pretend they weren't euthanized, and let's further pretend they were all:

Female

Fertile

Had two litters in 2024

Each litter had ten puppies that survived to adulthood

27,000 x 2 x 10 = 540,000

Five hundred forty thousand dogs! You think we have problems now???

Now let's look at dollars. With the average price of euthanasia at a vet clinic being around $115, it cost around $3,105,000 to euthanize those dogs in 2024. One recent study reported the average cost of spay or neuter in Georgia at around $80. 27,000 x $80 = $2,160,000. Sterilizing those dogs instead of euthanizing them would have left over $900,000 to do other animal work. Remember, these numbers are based on averages an estimates, but do you see the possibilities? And you think we have problems now?

Responsible pet owners make sure their pets are spayed or neutered. Right now, more than ever, we do not need to add any more numbers to the already overcrowded pet population. There is no need for any more litters, planned or accidental, until the current crisis is under control. Then we can begin to address the issue of the animals already available who are looking for their furever homes.

Spay and neuter, it's that simple.