It is a good idea for pet owners who are not breeders to have their dogs and cats spayed and neutered, said Art Clark, a part-time officer with the Lander County Sheriff's Office Animal Control.
"Let the breeders take care of the breeding," he said. "They know what they are doing. I think (spaying/neutering) is a wise decision. In the long run, it's the best thing to do for your pet and family."
It will save time and money in the future because people will not have to deal with puppies and paying for puppy shots, he added.
Clark said people with mixed breeds should definitely have their pets fixed. He said one young dog can have many puppies and then each of those can turn around several months later (females can get pregnant as early as six months old) and have more puppies, resulting in an overwhelming amount of dogs in a short period.
According to the HSUS, unaltered pets have reduced lifespans, which can be partially attributed to their increased urge to roam, exposing them to fights with other animals, getting struck by cars and other mishaps.
Clark said there is a law in Lander County where owners can be fined for a female dog roaming in season.
Medical evidence indicates females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier, says the HSUS.
A contributor to the increased longevity of altered pets is a reduced risk of cancer. Unspayed female cats and dogs have a greater chance of developing a fatal uterine infection called pyrometra, uterine cancer and other cancers of the reproductive system.
Neutering male pets eliminates their chances of getting testicular cancer. It has also been found that they have a lesser chance of getting prostate cancer.
Clark feels people should watch a documentary entitled "Street Dogs of South Central," which is about the harsh life of dogs living on the streets of Los Angeles. He said the gruesome video is not for the weak of heart.
"It is gut-wrenching, but you watch that video and you'll understand why you should spay or neuter your dog," he said.
The HSUS encourages people to adopt homeless pets from shelters, where people can find both mixed and purebred dogs.
Clark recommended someone looking to have an animal just for the sake of owning a pet might want to consider getting a mixed breed but someone aiming to have a pet serve a purpose, such as hunting, might want to focus on a purebred.
Anyone who would like to adopt a dog from the Lander County Sheriff's Office Animal Control can call the sheriff's office at (775) 635-5161.
- Heather Hill[[In-content Ad]]
