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ESCUE
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It is a stubborn myth that a cat (or, therefore, any pet) needs to have at least
one litter to be:
- whole, happy and/or healthy;
or - in the case of dogs:
- protective;
and - in the case of cats:
- educational for the children.
Humans tend to project their own feelings about fertility, child rearing, abortion
and/or castration onto animals. A cat does not contemplate kitten rearing.
Here is an inconvenient thoughts of Janine DeMartini of Manxalot Rescue on the
subject:
"People say: "I want to have a WHOLE Cat (meaning not fixed) because I want the
option of having a litter." That statement is actually very common and it makes me
sick. Unless you are trying to benefit the breed your only harming the breed by
having more litters. You, in essence, have become a backyard breeder.
People say: "I want my female cat to have a litter 'cause my vet says she won't get
fat after being spayed'." This is a myth and nothing more. A healthy diet and
exercise will keep your cat trim.
People say: "I want my children to learn responsibility and the wonder of a cat
having babies." Another statement that makes me cringe. If you want your children
to respect life, then take your children to a shelter and watch a few cats get
euthanized. Tell your children that no one wanted Fluffy because she was old at 2
years old and is not considered a kitten. Tell your children Patches had to die
because some one's cat wasn't spayed and they had kittens they couldn't find
homes for. Tell your children Tiger had to go to heaven because everytime a person
gets a cat from an unethical breeder a shelter cat dies for lack of home."
7 Common Myths (vs. Facts About Spaying & Neutering):
Accumulated by The Human Society of the United States
MYTH #1: A 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.
MYTH #2: It's better for a pet 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. Many
veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age.
MYTH #3: Children should experience the miracle of birth.
FACT: Even if children are able to see a pet give birth—which is unlikely, since it
usually occurs at night and in seclusion—the lesson they will really learn is that
animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be
explained to children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of
some pets can save the lives of others.
MYTH #4: It is different for purebreds.
FACT: At least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters is a
purebred. There are just too many dogs and cats and to few homes for mixed
breed and purebred.
MYTH #5: Male dogs or cats should not 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 #6: Some cats are so special, they should given the chance to replicate
their genes.
FACT: A cat may be a great pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring will be a
carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines
can't guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet
owner's chances are even slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of kittens might
receive all of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics.
MYTH #7: It's too expensive to have a cat spayed or neutered.
FACT: The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of
the pet, veterinarian's fees, and a number of other variables. But whatever the
actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost—a relatively small cost
when compared to all the benefits. It's a bargain compared to the cost of
having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter; two months of
pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add up to
significant veterinary bills and food costs if complications develop. Most
importantly, it's a very small price to pay for the health of a pet and the
prevention of the births of more unwanted pets. Also, in less than one year's
time, each 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.
one litter to be:
- whole, happy and/or healthy;
or - in the case of dogs:
- protective;
and - in the case of cats:
- educational for the children.
Humans tend to project their own feelings about fertility, child rearing, abortion
and/or castration onto animals. A cat does not contemplate kitten rearing.
Here is an inconvenient thoughts of Janine DeMartini of Manxalot Rescue on the
subject:
"People say: "I want to have a WHOLE Cat (meaning not fixed) because I want the
option of having a litter." That statement is actually very common and it makes me
sick. Unless you are trying to benefit the breed your only harming the breed by
having more litters. You, in essence, have become a backyard breeder.
People say: "I want my female cat to have a litter 'cause my vet says she won't get
fat after being spayed'." This is a myth and nothing more. A healthy diet and
exercise will keep your cat trim.
People say: "I want my children to learn responsibility and the wonder of a cat
having babies." Another statement that makes me cringe. If you want your children
to respect life, then take your children to a shelter and watch a few cats get
euthanized. Tell your children that no one wanted Fluffy because she was old at 2
years old and is not considered a kitten. Tell your children Patches had to die
because some one's cat wasn't spayed and they had kittens they couldn't find
homes for. Tell your children Tiger had to go to heaven because everytime a person
gets a cat from an unethical breeder a shelter cat dies for lack of home."
7 Common Myths (vs. Facts About Spaying & Neutering):
Accumulated by The Human Society of the United States
MYTH #1: A 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.
MYTH #2: It's better for a pet 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. Many
veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age.
MYTH #3: Children should experience the miracle of birth.
FACT: Even if children are able to see a pet give birth—which is unlikely, since it
usually occurs at night and in seclusion—the lesson they will really learn is that
animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be
explained to children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of
some pets can save the lives of others.
MYTH #4: It is different for purebreds.
FACT: At least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters is a
purebred. There are just too many dogs and cats and to few homes for mixed
breed and purebred.
MYTH #5: Male dogs or cats should not 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 #6: Some cats are so special, they should given the chance to replicate
their genes.
FACT: A cat may be a great pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring will be a
carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines
can't guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet
owner's chances are even slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of kittens might
receive all of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics.
MYTH #7: It's too expensive to have a cat spayed or neutered.
FACT: The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of
the pet, veterinarian's fees, and a number of other variables. But whatever the
actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost—a relatively small cost
when compared to all the benefits. It's a bargain compared to the cost of
having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter; two months of
pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add up to
significant veterinary bills and food costs if complications develop. Most
importantly, it's a very small price to pay for the health of a pet and the
prevention of the births of more unwanted pets. Also, in less than one year's
time, each 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.
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