By Tanya M. Ursual

From The Lanark Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) L.A.W.S., P.O. Box 156, Smiths Falls, ON, K7A 4T1:

Myths and Facts about Spaying/Neutering:

1) Spaying/neutering will make my pet fat. Not true, a fixed pet will become overweight from too much food or lack of exercise

2) It is healthier to have a litter (or heat) before spaying. False, studies show that a spayed female who has had a litter does not live any longer than a spayed female who has not had a litter. Also, if you allow your animal to have even one litter there is a good chance that some of its offspring will face abandonment later on.

3) I want my dog to be protective of our home. It is a dog’s instinct to protect its family and home and this is not affected by its sex hormones.

4) It is too expensive to have my animal fixed. The cost of having one animal fixed will be much smaller than the cost of feeding and caring for a whole litter of animals.

5) I want to experience the miracle of birth and then I’ll find good homes for the litter. There are many excellent books and videos available that explain the miracle of birth. Even if you find good homes for your pet’s litter you have taken away from the opportunity of an existing shelter animal to find a home.

6) I don’t want my animal to feel less of a male or female, etc. Your pet does not have a sexual identity. It’s basic personality will not change but you might find it more relaxed in general. The pet suffers no emotional crisis from the procedure which is very simple and painless.