Spay or Neuter Is The Only Solution

Animal shelters and welfare organizations all over the country are in crisis, including your very own community shelter. We are taking more animals in and caring for them longer. In the first quarter of 2024 we have taken in 59 puppies and 50 kittens under the age of three months. I like to think because we’re a smaller community that some of the big world problems don’t affect us, but this one does.

There is a public health hazard in allowing unvaccinated, intact dogs and cats to roam freely. Certainly not all but there are diseases transferrable to humans, not to mention the risk of rabies. Domesticated dogs and cats rarely survive on their own for long. Left to their own devices they will likely die a long-suffering death of starvation, injuries and illness. Dogs will also revert to “pack” survival behavior and chase your livestock, and often kill your cats and chickens. Spay or neuter is the only solution.

We have been at or above capacity for 18+ months sluggish adoption numbers. In 2023 we took in 748 dogs and 250 were adopted. Hundreds went to our rescue partners in many parts of the country. And sadly, we were forced to euthanize 11 dogs and 26 cats; we are an ‘open admissions’ facility and we are obligated to admit any dog or cat regardless of behavior, injury or medical needs. While humane euthanasia is the most peaceful ending, these were living, breathing beings that didn’t ask to be born, much less die. Transfers to rescue partners, historically an important lifesaving pathway for pets in highly over-crowded shelters, have significantly decreased. All over the United States, the story is the same. Things are not looking good for pets in shelters or for the people who care for them.

Let’s drill down a little deeper into our own backyard and maybe together we can change the tide, if only in our own community. There is only one solution to the fundamental issue, and that is spay or neuter your pets, farm dogs, barn cats. ONE fertile dog can produce an average of two litters per year.

The average number of puppies in a canine litter is six to ten. Up to 508 puppies can be born from one unspayed female dog and her offspring in seven years. A fertile cat can produce an average of three litters in one year. The average number of kittens in a feline litter is four to six. Up to 4,948 cats can be born from one unspayed female cat and her offspring in seven years. Altering one dog and one cat could save up to 5,456 helpless unwanted lives. We offer a discount voucher program at the shelter to help offset the cost. Spay or neuter is the only solution.

We will be here to care for those that cannot care for themselves. We are in awe of the support our community shows us and the animals in our care every single day. To the dog walkers, whisker scratchers, kitten cuddlers, puppy bathers, fosters, transporters, and donors, thank you for believing in us and supporting our life saving efforts. We cannot do this without you.