MYTH: “My pet will get fat and lazy.”

 FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don’t give them enough exercise.  Once your pet is spayed or neutered, they will probably need to be fed less because of the change of hormones.  Be aware of this and feed accordingly.

 MYTH:  “It’s better to have one litter first.”

 FACT:  Medical evidence indicates just the opposite.  In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier, in particular, these pets will never develop breast cancer, or infections or tumours in their ovaries or uterus.

 MYTH: “But my pet is a purebred.”

 FACT: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country.  There are just too many dogs and cats – mixed breed and purebred.

 MYTH:  I want my dog to be protective.

 FACT: Spaying and neutering does not affect a dog’s natural instinct to protect home and family.  A dog’s personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.

 MYTH: “I don’t want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male.”

 FACT:  Pets don’t have any concept of sexual identity or ego.  Neutering will not change a pet’s basic personality.  He doesn’t suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.

 MYTH: “I want my children to see the miracle of birth.”

 FACT:  To put it bluntly, have you considered showing them the reality of death??  There are many ways to show children the beauty of reproduction without adding to the pet overpopulation crisis.  Videotapes are available that show kittens being born.  While you are educating your children, it may be a good idea to explain the vast responsibility of having babies.

 MYTH:  “I refuse to alter my pet because it will change his/her personality.”

 FACT: Altering a pet does not affect his/her personality.  In fact, any habit changes are certainly positive ones.  Neutered male cats tend to reduce territorial spraying and neutered dogs and cats fight less and are less likely to stray from home in search of a mate.  Spayed females do not go into heat.

 MYTH: “I’ll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.”

 FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet’s litter.  But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters that need good homes.  Also, in less than one year’s time, each of your pet’s offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population.  The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time.