Spaying and neutering, as well as microchipping, are important practices for responsible pet ownership and contribute to the overall welfare of animals and the community.

Here are some reasons why people should consider spaying, neutering, and microchipping their pets:

  1. Population Control: Spaying and neutering help control the pet population, reducing the number of unwanted and homeless animals. This, in turn, decreases the burden on animal shelters and reduces the need for euthanasia.
  2. Health Benefits: Spaying and neutering can provide health benefits for pets. Spaying female animals can prevent uterine infections and reduce the risk of mammary tumors, while neutering male animals can prevent testicular cancer and reduce the risk of prostate problems.
  3. Behavioral Improvements: Spaying and neutering can reduce certain undesirable behaviors in pets, such as aggression, roaming, urine marking, and the urge to mate, which can lead to a calmer and more well-behaved pet.
  4. Preventing Unplanned Litters: Unplanned litters can be a significant burden for pet owners and can contribute to overpopulation. Spaying and neutering prevent these unexpected litters and the difficulties associated with them.
  5. Reduced Stray and Feral Populations: Spaying and neutering programs can help control the stray and feral animal populations, reducing the negative impact of these animals on the environment and wildlife.
  6. Microchipping for Identification: Microchipping your pet is a safe and effective way to ensure they can be identified and returned to you if they get lost. Collars and tags can be lost, but a microchip provides a permanent and secure form of identification.
  7. Reuniting Lost Pets: Microchips have helped countless lost pets be reunited with their owners. Animal shelters and veterinarians can scan for microchips, allowing them to contact the owner and return the pet to its home.
  8. Legal Requirements: it is now a requirement under Floyd County Ordinance to have your animal altered and microchipped.
  9. Promoting Responsible Ownership: Spaying, neutering, and microchipping are integral parts of being a responsible pet owner, ensuring the well-being and safety of your pet and the larger animal community.

Additionally, make sure to keep your pet's microchip information up to date to maximize the chances of a safe return if your pet ever becomes lost.

Common Misconceptions

25% of all animals found in a shelter are AKC or UKC purebreds. Every day, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in this country while only 10,000 people are born. It's simple math--there just aren't enough homes for all of these animals.

No, this is not a safe assumption. These animals are a very big part of the pet overpopulation problem because they escape and breed with females in heat.

School programming, virtual computers or films can convey the same information in a more caring way. Visiting the local zoo or science center are also available.

Having a litter does not in any way improve or change a pet's disposition and can drain her body of nutrients, make her thin, and weaken her teeth and bones.

Surgery is performed under anesthesia and animals are usually back on their feet and into normal activities within 24 to 72 hours.

Instinct is not affected by hormones. In fact, most pets will actually be more effective at protection after spaying/neutering, as they will have stabilized hormones.

Spaying and neutering will not make animals lazy or affect weight gain. Proper amounts of exercise are necessary to maintain the health of your pet.

Unless you have a champion dog and can enhance the breed line of your pet's offspring, you will not be successful at making money. Buying or adopting a pet is a commitment and should only be done for the good of the pet and not for breeding purposes that lead to increased overpopulation.