How Old Should My Dog Be Before I Spay or Neuter?

Sounds like a totally innocent question asked by a loving pet owner but, man, is this ever a topic up for debate! 

We all know the numbers and statistics routinely seen on TV commercials or on the Internet about homeless pets. We witness news stories about animal abuse and wonder how anyone could do such a thing.  The pet population grows everyday as does the number of animals having to be euthanized simply because there just isn't enough room for them.  The only way this tragedy will ever stop is through spaying or neutering your pet.

But Google spay neuter and you get tons of information about when do it, why and how to do it and it's downright confusing.  Many animal groups, including our sister organization, Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue, firmly supports pediatric spay neuter.   This means that the dog is at least eight weeks old and weighs a minimum of eight pounds.  If the dog is a male, the testicles will have had to drop. 

The advantages to early spay neuter are:

• The healing time for the pet will be faster.  The dog is a sore for a few days but the down time on a  younger dog is much shorter than a dog who is older.
• The cost to the pet owner is generally less due to the fact that most spay neuters are charged by weight.
• The dog is under anesthesia for less time as a puppy and this is much safer for the dog.   

Many rescues across the country are seeing the pet population at an all time high and have implemented pediatric spay neuter to help make a difference.  You can make a difference too! Have your pet spayed or neutered.  And click on the link below to sign a petition asking that any rescue group who holds adoptions outside of PetSmart stores across the country have the animals spayed or neutered PRIOR to being placed in their new home. Together, through efforts like these, we can reduce the pet population and make a difference.


http://www.change.org/petitions/let-petsmart-know-you-want-animals-adopted-from-their-stores-to-all-be-spayed-or-neutered?%3Fopt_new=t&opt_fb=t#?opt_new=t&opt_fb=t