Can you guess the single most important tool in preventing neglected, stray and unwanted animals? Yep, its spaying and neutering. This one, fairly simple procedure has made a tremendous impact on controlling the number of animals coming into shelters across the nation.

World Spay Day is Tuesday and its a great time to be reminded of how this one effort can prevent animal homelessness. Yet, some people are still hesitant to get their pets spayed or neutered, often due to misinformation or misunderstanding surrounding the procedure.

Here are some common myths about spay and neuter debunked by Humane Society International.

Myth: My pet needs to have a litter/one heat before sterilization.

Fact: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier.

Myth: Its not natural to spay or neuter and will upset my dog or cat.

Fact: The domestication of animals removed them from the natural order and placed responsibility for their care with humans. Applying human emotions to animals is neither realistic nor applicable when it comes to identifying a need for sterilization.

Myth: I want my dog to be protective.

Fact: It is a dogs natural instinct to protect home and family. A dogs personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.

Myth: I do not want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male.

Fact: Pets do not have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pets basic personality. The pet does not suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.

Myth: My pet will get fat and lazy.

Fact: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their guardians feed them too much and do not give them enough exercise.

Myth: But, my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten) just like them.

Fact: Your pets puppies or kittens have little chance of being an exact copy of your pet. Even professional breeders cannot make this guarantee. There are homeless pets waiting for homes who are just as cute, smart, sweet and loving as your own.

Spaying or neutering also helps keep dogs and cats healthy by reducing or eliminating the possibility of uterine infection, mammary tumors, prostate problems and certain types of cancers. Neutering male dogs and cats also eliminates the urge to seek out females in heat (sometimes by creatively escaping from their house or yard), thus reducing the risks associated with free-roaming animals.

Marin Humane offers spay and neuter services for the pets (including rabbits) of low-income Marin County residents. And for pit bulls and pit bull mixes, spay and neuter services are free for Marin County residents. We also collaborate with local organizations like Marin Friends of Ferals to sterilize feral cats and kittens, and provide vouchers to the public to subsidize spay and neuter surgeries for feral cats by local veterinarians.

As the saying goes, prevent a litter and fix your critter.

For more information about Marin Humanes spay and neuter services for low-income residents, call 415-883-3383 or go to marinhumane.org.

Lisa Bloch is the marketing and communications director for Marin Humane, which contributes Tails of Marin articles and welcomes animal-related questions and stories about the people and animals in our community. Go to marinhumane.org, Twitter.com/marinhumaneor email lbloch@marinhumanesociety.org.

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The most important way to prevent neglected, stray and unwanted animals - Marin Independent Journal

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