Why mandatory spay/neuter of all adopted Dogs and Cats?

The animal to human birth ratio is 7 animals to every 1 human! This means that every person would have to own 7 animals to eliminate the homeless animal problem. Even if this were possible, each of those animals would have to be spayed or neutered, or their offspring would soon be homeless. Spaying and neutering is the only way to help cut down on the numbers.

In just 6 generations one male and one female dog, which can reproduce two times a year, can be responsible for the birth of 67,000 puppies. One male and one female cat, which can reproduce three times a year, can be responsible for the birth of 420,000 kittens. Look at the number of animals that would not have been born if just 4 animals had been spayed or neutered!

Our hope is that eventually we will eliminate the daily euthanasia of homeless animals in the Orleans area. Requiring all adopted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are spayed or neutered prior to going to their new home is the only way to guarantee those animals will not be contributing to the problem of pet overpopulation. The cycle of homelessness will end one animal at a time and we do all we can to ensure that happens.

The LA/SPCA has had the Mandatory Spay/neuter Policy in place for many years now. The results have been a decline in the number of animals entering our shelter. Although we still receive approximately 11,000 animals annually, a staggering amount, this has declined from some 23,000 in the mid 1990’s.

In recent years, more veterinarians have embraced the concept of early spay and neuter of kittens and puppies, 6 to 7 weeks of age. This has considerably furthered the goal of eliminating the pet overpopulation problem. Some veterinarians still cling to the old school belief that owners should wait until the animal is 6 to 7 months. This is unfortunate, since
studies suggest otherwise. Many litters of kittens and puppies are surrendered to the shelter each year because the owner "was waiting until the animal was 6 or 7 months." Mandatory, and early, spay/neuter is part of the solution of pet over population.