Preventing the birth of unwanted animals is a major goal of Citizens for Animal Protection. Since every birth eventually has the possibility of leading to thousands of unwanted offspring, CAP actively promotes public awareness of the necessity for spaying and neutering pets. To this end, CAP has opened our very own low-cost pet clinic, The Cornelius Clinic, and works with a variety of spay/neuter and wellness clinics, and area veterinarians, to promote the importance of vaccinations, heartworm preventative care, and spay/neuter. These practices will ensure that our companion animals enjoy a long and healthy life.
Get the facts and get your pets spayed or neutered! You and your pet will be happier for it and you can take pride in knowing that you are playing a role in solving the pet overpopulation crisis.
EXCUSE #1 “I don’t need to spay my pet because she doesn’t live outside.”
Most of us take our dogs outdoors several times a day whether it’s to “potty”, walk the neighborhood, visit friends and family, or get a little exercise at the local dog park. If your dog is always indoors, she might not be getting enough exercise or mental stimulation. Dogs are very social. And it only takes a moment for a playful dog at the dog park to find herself involved in a casual fling. But having your pet spayed/neutered doesn’t just prevent unwanted litters. It can also prevent cancers in female pets that are allowed to have multiple heat cycles.
It’s also true that indoor pets that are spayed/neutered won’t find themselves driven by hormonal urges to mark your home with strongly scented urine and bloody discharge, escape the house whenever a door is opened, or subject you to the horrors of their musically challenged mating calls when you’re in desperate need for some shut-eye.
EXCUSE #2 “Spaying/Neutering will change my pet’s playful personality.”
Yes and No. You will see less domineering behavior. Your pet’s quirky need to hump your children should cease. And your pet will also be less inclined to dart for the door or frantically pace the house when in heat, driven to roam the streets to mate. But essentially your pet’s personality will remain unchanged.
EXCUSE #3 “It’s wrong to emasculate a male cat or dog.”
Your pets want to be healthy and happy. They want to have a full belly and lots of toys. They have no concept of “manliness” and are unconcerned with the existence of their sexual organs. Your dog or cat will be just as protective and loyal as any pet secure in their knowledge that he has finally found his forever family. Neutering male pets also prevents inflammation of the prostate and testicular cancer.
EXCUSE #4 “I don’t want to hurt my pet.”
Veterinarians don’t want to cause your pet any pain either! Every pet is given pain medications to prevent any discomfort. Veterinarians are very experienced, having performed this surgery many, many, many times. They use the most proven procedures to minimize stress and help your pet remain comfortable while in their care. Veterinary staff can also offer guidance on the best tips and tricks to help you keep your pet calm and heal without complications post-surgery.
EXCUSE #5 “My pet will get fat.”
There are studies linking spay/neuter surgeries in pets to weight gain. Caregivers worried about their pet’s weight should invest in quality pet foods suited for their specific species of pets. When choosing food and treats, avoid fillers, such as corn, and focus on nutritional value. You will also want to be sure your pet is active, getting lots of daily playtime with the family. We’ve all heard it before. Just like us, diet and exercise are what truly matters when it comes to maintaining your pet’s overall health and weight. Your veterinarian is the best source of information regarding your pet’s specific dietary needs.
EXCUSE #6 “I can’t afford to spay or neuter my pets.”
How will you afford the cost of caring for an unplanned litter? Caring for a pet can be pricey, especially when they make a meal out of your new leather shoes. But the cost of a spay/neuter surgery doesn’t have to be a major expense. In fact, many animal organizations and clinics have programs that have fundraised just to help you. The Cornelius Clinic at CAP offers low cost spay/neuter surgeries as part of our mission to protect companion animals. We even host FREE spay/neuter events where generous sponsors cover the cost of the surgery 100%. Find low- cost spay/neuter clinics in the Houston area.
EXCUSE #7 “But I want my pet to have babies just like her.”
We totally get it. Puppies and kittens are freakin’ cute. But every day, in every state and every city a local animal shelter will have hundreds of unwanted pets waiting for a family to claim them and take them home. There are 5 major shelters and tons of local rescue groups operating in the Houston area alone. And as much as we wished it wasn’t true, most of the companion animals available in these facilities won’t get picked to go home tonight.
Perhaps you are committed to finding every one of your pet's puppies or kittens a family of their own. But this also means that these families won’t feel the need to visit the local shelter to adopt and save the life of a homeless animal that is still waiting to be claimed by its very own human.
If you’re in need a cute, cuddly, furry fix, become a volunteer. Seriously! CAP shelter volunteers can walk howling hounds and care for fickle felines. You could also choose to become a foster family for puppies and kittens too young to be listed for adoption or pets in need of a bit of time to recover from a cold or various medical treatments. It can be challenging, but the rewards are limitless. And your social media accounts will never look better. Just sayin’!
You Can Save Hundreds of Animals by Spaying or Neutering Just One. Please, Spay or Neuter Your Pet!
Support Low Cost Spay / Neuter Clinics
Support low cost spay and neuter with an animal friendly license plateavailable from the Texas DOT. From the $30 specialty plate fee, $22 goes to the Texas Department of Health to make grants to eligible organizations that sterilize animals owned by the general public at minimal or no cost.