PowerPoint Presentation

Amy Wilkinson

CIS1020 Section 25August 3, 2011The Importance of Spaying or Neutering Your Pets1Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Mission Statement:

My audience will understand the importance of spaying or neutering their pets, not only for their own benefit but also for the health and well-being of their pets.By the end of this presentation, my audience will understand the importance of spaying/neutering their pets, not only for their own benefit but for the health and well-being of their pets.2Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25

This chart represents the effects of an unspayed female and her mate. In eight years, more than 2 million kittens will be born if none of the offspring are spayed or neutered.This chart represents one unspayed female, her mate and all of her offspring, producing 2 litters per year, with 2.8 surviving kittens per litter. By spaying and neutering just one male and one female cat, more than 2,000 unwanted births can be prevented in just four years and more than 2 million in eight years!3Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Common MisconceptionsThe following are common misconceptions about spaying and neutering your pets.4Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Myth:Spaying/Neutering will make my pet fat

Fact:Lack of exercise and/or over-eating are the culprit!Many people think that spaying or neutering will make their pet gain weight. This is simply not true.

Spaying and neutering have no effect on your pets energy level and, just like humans, lack of exercise and over-eating are the biggest contributors to unhealthy weight.

Monitor the amount of treats you give your pet and spend quality time walking and playing with him/her to ensure your pet (and you!) get adequate exercise!5Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Myth:My dog or cat will feel like less of a man/woman

Fact:Pets dont have any concept of sexual identity or egoMany people think that neutering or spaying their pets will lead to a sexual identity crisis.

In reality, pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He/She doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered/spayed.6Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Myth:Its too expensive

Fact:You cant afford not toPost-pregnancy veterinary care costs more than a spay!Cost may be a big factor in why people choose not to spay or neuter their pets. In reality, the costs of raising a litter and paying for vaccinations in order to sell the puppies or kittens far outweigh the cost of a spay or neuter.

If cost is still a concern, there are other options7Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Humane Society of UtahDogsSpay CostNeuter Cost< 50 lbs.$50$4851-70 lbs.$60$5871-85 lbs.$70$6886-99 lbs.$80$78100+ lbs.$100 + $1 per lb. overCatsSpay CostNeuter CostAll sizes$35$25

Affordable Spay/Neuter Clinics!4242 South 300 WestMurray, UT 84107Phone: (801) 261-2919www.utahhumane.orgThe Humane Society of Utahs costs range from $48 to approximately $100 depending on the gender and weight of your dog. Cats are $25 to $35 depending on its gender. 8Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25No More Homeless PetsOffer Free Fix vouchers for those on financial assistance.Organize Big Fix events for discounted services.Affordable Spay/Neuter Clinics!8029 South 700 EastSandy, UT 84070Phone: (801) 432-2124www.utahpets.org

No More Homeless Pets offers free fix vouchers for those on financial assistance.

If you do not qualify for financial assistance, check their website at www.utahpets.org to find out when and where they will be holding their next Big Fix event near you. Big Fix events are designed to spay and neuter a large volume of pets in one day and in one location to save you money!

9Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25What are the benefits?The following are reasons you should spay or neuter your pet10Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Contribute to a Longer, Healthier Life

Female Pets:Prevent uterine infectionsPrevent breast cancer50% fatal in dogs and 90% fatal in cats!

Male Pets:Prevent testicular cancerPrevent prostate tumors and infectionSpaying and neutering your pets offers them a longer, healthier life.

Spaying prevents uterine infections and even breast cancer in female pets. Breast cancer is 50% fatal in dogs and 90% fatal in cats.

Neutering prevents testicular cancer as well as prostate tumors and infections in males.11Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Male Dogs Less Likely to Roam Away

Unneutered dogs will go to great lengths to find a mate including:Digging under fencesJumping fencesBolting out the front door

Risks:Getting lostFighting Being injured or killed in trafficUnneutered dogs can sense a female in heat from miles away and will go to great lengths to mate, including digging under fences, jumping fences and bolting out the front door the second its opened.

Roaming dogs run the risk of getting lost, stolen, getting injured in a fight with other dogs or being hit by a car.

If youve ever suffered the loss of a pet due to a traffic accident, you most likely understand the importance of neutering your pet. Research shows that 80% of dogs hit by cars are unneutered males.

Unfortunately my family knows this from first-hand experience. Our dog wasnt lucky enough to die on impact but had to suffer until animal control showed up to put him out of his misery.12Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Avoid Aggression ProblemsPet Aggression Consequences:Injury to pet or humansCostly veterinary and medical billsCourt battles and finesEuthanasiaEmotional trauma

Avoid aggression problems Neuter by 6 months!What would you do if your son or daughter were a victim of a vicious dog attack? How would you feel if your dog attacked another person and you were forced to put him down?

Aggressive dogs are unpredictable and can attack another dog or a human with little or no warning. This behavior could result in severe injury or death, legal action, medical bills and emotional trauma to you and your loved ones.13Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Signs of AggressionGrowlingGuarding possessionsSnappingSnarlingAggressive barkingLunging on or off the leash with barking or growlingBiting

Signs of Aggression Include:

GrowlingGuarding possessions or resting area against family members or guestsSnappingSnarlingAggressive barking which is not stopped by your request for quietLunging on or off the leash with barking or growlingBiting (other than playful puppy nipping by a puppy, or accident during rough play)

Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 2514Neutered Male Pets are Better Behaved

Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark their territory all over your house.

Neuter early (by age six months):Keep marking from becoming a habitAvoid unwanted odorsSave money on cleaning expensesNeutering alone will probably not eliminate territorial marking if this is a learned behavior. This is why neutering before a dog reaches maturity or comes into heat (typically by age six months) is recommended. In dogs neutered at a mature age, the marking may have become a learned, habitual behavior and will need behavior modification. Also, if you have an unspayed female in the house, this may add to the difficulties of breaking the habit.

Whats in it for you?No stained or smelly carpet and furniture!Save money on cleaning supplies or professional carpet cleaners!No unpleasant surprises when you come home. Just a happy pet!15Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Keep Females From Going in HeatHeat refers to the mating period after the female ovulation cycleTypical heat for dogs lasts 4 to 5 days Typical heat for cats lasts 15 to 22 daysFemale cats loudly meow and urinate more frequently to attract mates

Female dogs go into heat on average of two times a year. Heat cycles last about 4 weeks, and can be uncomfortable, messy, inconvenient and even dangerous to your dog. Dogs in heat must be kept confined; an unneutered male dog can sense a female in heat from miles away.

Female cats have about 2-4 heat cycles every year, each lasting 15-22 days. Many female cats will become nervous during these heat cycles and exhibit unusual behavior, such as rolling on the floor, hiding or wanting constant attention. Female cats often become quite vocal, meowing loudly through their cycle. These behaviors can be very difficult to live with, but the only way to stop them is to have your pet spayed.

The sound you hear on this slide is the loud meowing of a female cat in heat. Can you imagine listening to that for 22 days straight?

16Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Fight OverpopulationMillions of cats and dogs are euthanized each year due to unplanned litters.

20,000 cats are killed each year in Utah shelters alone!

Each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. Because there are not enough homes for these animals, four to six million are euthanized each year.

In Utah shelters alone, 20,000 cats are killed each year!17Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25Animals are reliable; many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful, and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to.- Alfred A. Montapert Please do your part in keeping our pets healthy and happy! Get your pet spayed or neutered and share this information with a friend!Please do your part in protecting the health and well-being of your pets (and your sanity)!!

An electronic copy of this presentation will be made available to the entire audience. Please pass this information on to your friends and family.18Amy Wilkinson, CIS 1020, Section 25