Did you know that Pit Bulls make up the largest percentage of dogs in shelters in South Africa with thousands being euthanized every year? Pit Bull type dogs are more likely to be euthanized in shelters than any other dog and only the third most likely to be adopted. The reason this is so you ask? Overpopulation of Pit Bull types has been created by excessive and unregulated breeding. Add to that, Pit Bulls tend to have large litters averaging 10-12 pups per litter.

SPAY-AND-NEUTER FAQS

Will my animal’s personality change after spaying or neutering?

Spaying and neutering will only reduce or eliminate the behaviors that you don’t want, such as aggression and urine marking. Neutered males are less likely to roam, fight, or mark their territory with urine, and spayed females experience less hormone-related moodiness. In exchange, your companions will likely become more interested in you (rather than finding a mate) and will still protect your family.

Will spaying and neutering affect my animal’s weight?

No. Dogs become overweight and inactive because their owners feed them too much and exercise them too little, not because they are sterilized.

Why should I have my male dog neutered?

Male animals contribute to the companion animal overpopulation, crisis even more than females do. Just one unsterilized male animal can impregnate dozens of females, creating dozens upon dozens of unwanted offspring. Neutering also eliminates male animals’ risk of testicular cancer and reduces unwanted behaviors such as biting.

Should I let my female animal have one litter before having her spayed?

It’s best to spay animals before they reach sexual maturity in order to reap the full health benefits. Spaying your female companion animal before her first heat cycle means she will have one-seventh the risk of developing mammary cancer. Spaying also eliminates female animals’ risk of diseases and cancers of the ovaries and uterus, which are often life-threatening and require expensive surgery and treatment.

How can I teach my children about the ‘miracle of birth’?

Allowing your animal to reproduce only teaches your children irresponsibility. Every year, thousands of animals are killed in animal shelters, most simply because of a lack of good homes. Bringing more animals into a world that is already short of homes means that animals in animal shelters will die. Numerous books and videos are available to help you teach your children about reproduction responsibly.

What if I can find homes for all my animal’s puppies?

Even if you manage to find loving, lifelong homes for all the puppies, that means that there will be that many fewer homes for puppies in animal shelters who desperately need to be adopted. And unless you ensure that every puppy you place is spayed or neutered before going to his or her new home, they can go on to produce litter after litter of offspring themselves. Just one female dog and her puppies can result in 67,000 dogs in six years.

Is sterilization safe?

Spay and neuter surgeries are the most commonly performed animal surgeries. Most animals experience relatively little discomfort (anesthesia is used during surgery, and pain medication is generally given afterwards) and are back to their normal activities within a day or two.

10 BEST REASONS TO SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PIT BULL
  1. You love your dog and want him to live a long, healthy life. Spaying and neutering reduces the risk of certain types of cancers and infections, especially if it is performed prior to the first heat in females and before puberty in males
  2. You are concerned about pet overpopulation and don’t want to contribute to the tragedy of so many dogs dying homeless.
  3. You are a self-assured, confident individual and don’t need your dog’s genitalia to boost your self esteem.
  4. You don’t want to put your female through the risks associated with motherhood.
  5. You want your dog to live a happy life free from stress and frustration. Intact males can smell females in heat miles away. They are in constant state of frustration when triggered by their sexual hormones but not able to do anything about it.
  6. Neutered males are easier to control and less aggressive. “The majority of dog bites are made by intact males.”
  7. Spayed females are more stable and even-tempered. The female reproduction cycle lasts 6 months. During that cycle the dog goes through frequent hormonal changes that directly influence her behavior. Think of it this way: The premenstrual cycle (PMS) of a female dog lasts several months.
  8. You support rescue and want to set a good example.
  9. You like your house clean. Spaying eliminates the possibility of getting blood stains on your couch, floor, bed, etc. when your female has her heat cycle. Neutering reduces eliminates marking behavior both indoors and out.
  10. Accidents happen! Dogs don’t wear condoms.
10 WORST EXCUSES NOT TO SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PIT BULL
  1. Just one litter and then we’ll have Daisy spayed. Studies show that virtually the entire pet overpopulation issue stems from the “just one litter” mentality.
  2. My dog doesn’t run loose, so he doesn’t need to be fixed – Murphy’s Law says otherwise.
  3. We always find homes for the puppies. And that means that an equal number of puppies at the pound will be euthanized.
  4. I want the children to witness the miracle of birth – Rent a video.
  5. My dog is so cute and unique, there should be more of her. The shelters and pounds are full of cute and unique dogs, most with only a few days to live.
  6. It’s not natural. There hasn’t been anything “natural” about dogs since we began to develop breeds thousands of years ago.
  7. I just couldn’t look my dog in the eye if I had him castrated.  Watch it, you’re anthropomorphizing. Remember, real men have their own.
  8. A female dog should have at least one litter for health reasons. Medically, factually and ethically indefensible.
  9. Neutering my dog will make him fat and lazy. Too much food and not enough exercise make a dog fat and lazy.
  10. Fixing my pet will change her personality.  The main influences on a dog’s personality are the kindness and care with which she is raised.
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