Spay/Neuter Services

Top Ten Reasons For Fixing Your Pet

1. Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. 
   Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Fixing your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
2. Neutering provides major health benefits for your male pet.
   Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
3. Your fixed female won't go into heat.
   While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently — sometimes all over the house!
4. Your male dog won't want to roam away from home.
   An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males. Remember! If your dog roams off your property you can be cited!
5. Your neutered male will be much better behaved.
   Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
6. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
   Don't use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
7. It is highly cost-effective.
   The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. You may even qualify for FREE or Low Cost services! It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered dog or cat escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!
8. Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community.
   Roaming animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.
9. Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth.
   Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children—especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way.
10. Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation.
    Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer on the streets. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

Remember!

Spaying/neutering of all pets is encouraged at an early age for the better health of the pet. It has been documented that early spaying of females alleviates health issues later such as mammary tumors. The early neutering of males will reduce the incidence of prostate problems, testicular cancer and discourage territory marking, running off issues, etc.

Spaying/neutering, most importantly, helps greatly reduce our current overpopulation problem. In addition to providing comprehensive medical care for your pet, many local veterinarians also offer Spay/Neuter services. Animal Care Services strongly urges all pet owners to establish a relationship with a veterinarian to protect the health of your pet. Remember, your pet depends on you to provide them with yearly checkups and vaccinations! For a list of local veterinary clinics that are members of the Veterinary Medical Association of Bexar County, click on the link. (For a more inclusive list of area vets, please consult the Yellow Pages).