At Florida Animal Friend, our mission is simple: to help save the lives of countless unwanted cats and dogs by supporting organizations that offer free or low-cost spay and neuter services across the state of Florida. We raise money to help us do this primarily by selling specialty Florida dog license plates and animal license plates. We also receive a number of private charitable donations each year.
Unfortunately, more than 2.7 million otherwise healthy and adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized every year. Reducing the homeless pet population through low-cost spay and neuter services is the most effective way to bring that number down. Stay informed by learning the facts when it comes to these highly beneficial procedures.
10 Spay and Neuter Facts You Should Know
- The word “Neuter” can refer to both male and female animals when it comes to this birth control procedure. But “Spay” refers specifically to the procedure for female animals.
- Spaying and neutering should typically occur in the first six months of an animal’s life. Although healthy dogs and cats can be neutered and spayed as young as eight weeks old.
- Spaying helps prevent breast tumors and uterine infections in female animals. This is critical because breast tumors are malignant or cancerous in about 90% of cats and about 50% of dogs.
- Neutering male animals prevents testicular cancer, as well as many prostate problems.
- Neutering your pets can prevent unwanted behavior later in life, such as aggression, unwanted mounting of other animals and objects, and marking their territory with strong-scented urine.
- Neutered male dogs are less likely to roam away from home. Unneutered males are constantly trying to reproduce, so they may roam to find a mate, making them more likely to get lost or injured in traffic or in a fight with another animal.
- Spaying and neutering does not cause animals to gain weight, but this myth still persists. The best way to keep your pets healthy is to make sure they eat right and exercise regularly.
- Neutering is the only 100% effective birth control method for dogs and cats.
- In the United States, approximately 6–8 million homeless animals enter shelters annually. Only about half of these perfectly healthy pets are adopted.
- There are hundreds of low-cost facilities across the United States where you can get your pets spayed and neutered. Many of them are supported by nonprofit organizations like Florida Animal Friend! There are plenty of affordable options available to you.
Now that you know the facts, spread the word! Want to do more to fight pet overpopulation and homelessness after you’ve spayed and neutered your own pets? Purchase one of our Florida dog license plates, make a donation today or get out there and adopt a new furry friend from your local animal shelter.
*Due to the national emergency status of our country amid the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Florida Animal Friend is extending the grant application deadline to May 1, 2020. For more information on the Grant application process please visit, https://floridaanimalfriend.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/.