Tag Archives: neutering

TNR Programs Gaining Popularity

What is TNR, you ask? TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return… and is a policy for dealing with feral cat populations that is gaining popularity. There are currently more than two hundred TNR organizations operating across the United States, including the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States. One big question raised with Trap-Neuter-Return programs is: why not try to find homes for the cats, if you’ve gone to all that trouble? The answer is not so easy. Some feral cats are adoptable, and most TNR programs do try to find homes for friendly strays. However, a lot of feral … Continue reading →

Happy’s Happy Ending

How is this for an amazing adventure: a runaway dog is home after seven months in which he managed to find TWO new homes, get neutered, and get renamed. Happy — also known as Radar during his seven month adventure — ran away from his Illinois farm home in April. He had been with his family for more than two years, after human mom Misty Bowman picked him out from a friend’s litter. Human dad Rob named the dog Happy because he looked like he was always smiling. When Happy left for his wild vacation, the Bowmans looked all over … Continue reading →

California Looks At A Pet Neutering Law

The state that is home to the American Kennel Club’s second largest dog show is looking at some pretty strict legislation to help curb pet overpopulation. California’s Assemblyman Lloyd Levine is sponsoring a bill that would require pet owners to sterilize their dogs and cats by the time the pet is four months old or face a hefty fine. The bill squeaked by in the Assembly, passing by a single vote. If passed by the California State Senate, the bill would be the nation’s biggest and baddest pet sterilization law. The goal is to reduce the number of dogs and … Continue reading →

There Was No Joy In Kittentown…

Confession time: I am guilty of the crime of creative cat diapering. My friend Jenny recently got a lovely black kitten named Zoe. After a few months, it came time for Zoe to get spayed — among other things, spaying fights overpopulation, helps reduce the risk of running away and some diseases of the reproductive organs. Zoe came through her surgery with flying colors, and was soon feeling well enough to start messing with her cone. Also known as an Elizabethan collar, the plastic cone helps prevent a pet from accessing the surgical site and stitches. Instinct tells your pet … Continue reading →

Where to Go For Spaying/Neutering

Spay Day USA is coming — Tuesday February 27th. This is a great time to have your dog or cat (or rabbit or other small pet) spayed or neutered! You have several different options for the surgery. Most people have their regular veterinarian do the spay or neuter surgery. Choosing your regular veterinarian is nice and easy — they already care for your pet! However, this can be the most expensive option. Your vet may be able to offer special financing options or a have a special fund to help pet owners who can’t afford particular treatments and surgeries. Your … Continue reading →

Pet Overpopulation Statistics

If you don’t believe that spaying and neutering your pets is a good idea, maybe these statistics will change your mind. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that between six and eight million cats and dogs enter animal shelters and rescues every year. Of that number, approximately half are euthanized — that means between three and four million dogs and cats die for no other reason than they are in a shelter that cannot afford the space or money to keep them. There are between four and six thousand animal shelters and rescue organizations in the United States. … Continue reading →

Spay Day USA

Spay Day USA is coming — Tuesday, February 27, 2007. Traditionally, Spay Day USA takes place on the last Tuesday of February. This is America’s first and only national day of action to promote spaying and neutering pets! Spay Day USA was created in 1995 by the Doris Day Animal League for veterinarians, pet care professionals, animal welfare activists, business owners, and citizens to join forces for a great cause. Between 1995 and 2006, Spay Day USA spayed or neutered more than 1.3 million dogs and cats! Think about this: an unspayed cat can give birth to eighteen kittens every … Continue reading →

Dealing With Urine Spraying

What is urine spraying? This is a behavior unique to cats that is also known as urine marking. The cat backs up to an object or squats near an object, holds his tail straight up, and sprays urine out onto the object. This urine is different from normal urine; it includes secretions from the anal glands. Sprayed urine has a very strong scent. Why do cats spray? They may spray for a variety of reasons. It could be to claim disputed territory (indoors or outdoors). An indoor cat who feels threatened by other cats in the house or in the … Continue reading →

Rhode Island Signs Spay/Neuter Law

Last month, Rhode Island became the first state in the nation to require cat owners to spay or neuter their pets (unless they plan to breed the cats and purchase a breeder’s license). Rhode Island Governor Don Carcieri hopes the move for mandatory spaying and neutering will help reduce the number of cats that are in shelters throughout the state — who often end up being euthanized. If the number of cats in shelters is reduced, that will help shelters save money by cutting down on housing and feeding costs. In 2004, between private shelters and municipal shelters in Rhode … Continue reading →

Fight Overpopulation!

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I just got my hands on the quarterly newsletter for the Rutland County Humane Society in Pittsford, Vermont — the shelter where I found my Lally Bee. RCHS is offering a great new program to help fight cat overpopulation in Rutland County. The program is called Spay the Mom. If your cat has a litter, you can bring momma cat and her kittens to the shelter. Rutland County Humane Society will spay the mother and return her to you at no cost. The kittens will be kept at the shelter and adopted into loving homes — after being spayed and/or … Continue reading →