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P.O. Box 1015 Waldorf, MD 20604-1015
Phone: 301 645-8181

20 FEB 2000, From the American Humane Association
A Neutering Quiz

Take a moment to read these questions (don't worry...the answers follow!). They may answer some of your own questions.

Isn't it wrong to deprive an animal of the natural right to reproduce?
No, its wrong to allow these animals to reproduce millions of unwanted offspring who are eventually killed because there aren't enough responsible homes.

If I find homes for my pet's litters then I'm not contributing to the problem, am I?
It depends. Only a certain number of people want pets, and only a certain percentage of those will actually end up keeping them. A great many pets are turned in to the Humane Society because they are no longer wanted. Consider neutering your pet to prevent more animals being turned in, and to make it more likely people will adopt an animal who has lost a home from a shelter.

Shouldn't every female pet have at least one litter before being spayed?
No. In fact, your pet will likely be healthier if she never goes into heat. Nor will her personality improve with motherhood. She is just as likely to become less social and more aggressive after having a litter as she is to become calmer and gentler.

Shouldn't children experience the miracle of birth?
A more important lesson to teach your child would be that of compassion and concern for life itself by explaining why their pet should not have babies. Millions of pets are euthanized every year because there are too many for the number of homes available. Those that become strays many times die of disease, are killed by a moving vehicle, or even die of starvation.

Doesn't neutering alter an animal's personality?
Personality changes that may result from neutering are generally for the better. Not being distracted by the instinctual need to find a mate helps stop roaming and can make an animal calmer (though not less protective of territory).

Only females add to the pet overpopulation problem, right?
No, a male can father far more offspring in his lifetime (by multiple females) than a female can mother.

Won't animal shelters take care of the surplus animals?
We do the best we can, but the number of unwanted animals far exceeds the number of available homes. This leaves many loving and healthy animals in our community that must be euthanized (put to sleep) as the only humane solution to this tragic dilemma. Only spaying and neutering can humanely end the overpopulation problem.