Myth: My female pet should have one litter before being spayed.
Fact: The best time to spay your female dog or cat is before her first heat. Early spaying decreases the incidence of mammary (breast) cancer by 95%. Each heat cycle increases the risk for mammary cancer and uterine infection. Spaying also eliminates unwanted males from harrassing your pet.
Myth: When my pet has a litter, I will find good homes for all the puppies or kittens.
Fact: You may be lucky enough to find homes for all the puppies or kittens. But many animals are discarded once they grow larger. You have no guarantee that the puppies or kittens from your litter will be spayed or neutered or remain in the sames homes. Too many animals end up in shelters where 3 - 4 million are euthanized each year. For every puppy and kitten brought into the world by a well-meaning owner, another will die somewhere else, unwanted and homeless. Be part of the solution and have your pet spayed/neutered now.
Myth: My male dog or cat will feel like less of a male.
Fact: The concepts of masculinity and sexual identity are 100% human concepts. Neutering your male dog or cat will not cause him to suffer any kind of emotional identity crisis nor will it change his basic personality. Your pet will be healthier and a better companion.
Myth: My pet will get fat and lazy after being spayed or neutered.
Fact: Spaying/neutering does not make pets fat or lazy. Pets get fat and lazy because they are fed too much and don't get enough exercise. If your cat or dog shows signs of putting on a little weight, feed him less and increase his walks and play sessions.
Myth: My pet is purebred. Purebreds don't end up in animal shelters.
Fact: 25% of the animals turned into shelters are purebred, and purebreds are part of the more than 25,000 animals euthanized in southern Nevada each year.
Myth: My pet is so special, and I want puppies/kittens to turn out just like my pet.
Fact: Genetics is not an exact science and even professional breeders cannot guarantee how a litter of puppies/kittens will develop. Don't add to the overpopulation problem on the slim chance you might get a puppy/kitten just like the parent.
Myth: It's good for my children to witness the miracle of birth.
Fact: Animals often go off by themselves to give birth or do so during the night. While the birth of kittens and puppies may teach children a love of life and living things, this lesson can be taught in many other, more humane ways. It should not be taught at the expense of the animal and her offpsring.
Myth: My dog will no longer be a protective watchdog.
Fact: Spaying/neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect your home and family. A dog's temperament is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.
