According to the ASPCA, a fertile cat can have two litters a year, with around four to six kittens in each litter. The organization also reports that the average dog has one litter a year, producing an average of four to six puppies per litter.
“The 2012 City Animal Control Report states that more than 1,000 animals were euthanized in the local Animal Shelter. Many times, the animals in shelters are the offspring of family pets,” says Mary Melaragno, Fur Kids Foundation president. “Fur Kids Foundation wants to educate pet owners on the healthy benefits of spaying or neutering their pets, which could also help reduce the number of animals that are euthanized in our local shelter.”
While spaying and neutering is a proven way to reduce pet overpopulation, the procedures also help to keep cherished family pets healthy. Spaying your female cat or dog helps prevent uterine infections and cancers, as well as breast cancer. Neutering a male pet helps prevents testicular cancer as well as helps to improve some behavior issues such as reducing their probability for roaming or fighting, and urine-marking in inappropriate places.
Those interested in spaying or neutering their dog or cat can enter to win one free procedure from February 1-24 at Animal Medical Center, 200 E. Lakeway Rd., Gillette Pet Vet Clinic, 500 Running W Drive and Red Hills Veterinary Hospital during the Winter Western Town & Country Trade Show at the CAM-PLEX Central Pavilion on February 14-16. Only one registration per pet, per owner is available. The winners will be announced at noon on February 25 at all clinics—need not be present to win. Winners will be contacted by the clinic to schedule their pet’s procedure on a separate day. Winners have up to 60 days to schedule—procedures are done by Dr. Darren Lynde, DVM of AMC, Dr. Nicole Allee, DVM of GPVC and Dr. Garry Gotfredson, DVM at RHVH.
“On behalf of the Fur Kids Foundation, we are thankful for the generous donation of 11 free procedures from Animal Medical Center, Gillette Pet Vet and Red Hill Veterinary Hospital,” says Mary. “We appreciate these clinic’s dedication and commitment to the families and pets in, and around, Campbell County.”
Tomorrow’s count is up to you. Please spay and neuter your pets.
About Fur Kids Foundation Created in November 2011, the Fur Kids Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides education and aid to promote the well-being of families with animals in Campbell County. In 2013, the Foundation helped 25 families and granted more than $5,000 in aid. For more information, visit furkidsfoundation.org. Find us on facebook.com/furkidsfoundation. Follow us on Twitter, @furkidswyo. Read our blog.