- People who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.
- The more cats are spoken to, the more they will speak to you.
- Cats love high places. They share this love with leopards and jaguars, which sleep in trees.
- A cat eats grass as it helps in digestion and also gets rid of fur in its stomach.
- A cat is unable to taste sweet.
- A domestic cat can run at speeds of about 31 miles per hour
- A cat is able to jump 5 times as high as its height.
- Cats are the only animals that purr. They purr at about 26 cycles per second
- The average cat sleeps for 12-14 hours per day.
- Cats sweat through their paws. But the surface area of their paws is relatively small so in the big picture, this is not an effective cooling mechanism. Cats generally seek out shady spots and rest. They may rest on cool surfaces such as tile or hardwood floors, or in the shade under bushes. When in distress in extremely hot conditions, cats will pant.
Tag: Cats
Helpful training tips for your cat or kitten
Below are some helpful training tips for your cat or kitten. As well as other helpful information below.
- GET YOUR KITTY USE TO THINGS AT A YOUNG AGE -If you hold your cat/kitten all the time, he/she will get use to it and start to enjoy it on a regular basis. Never hold a kitten or cat against his will. This will only bring negative reactions in the future. I’ve had people tell me that their cat doesn’t like being held. It is simply because they stopped doing it. So go pick up your cat!
- KITTY IS ATTACKING MY HAND – Say it with me, “Hands are for petting, Toys are for playing!” Please DO NOT use your hand as a toy! Your cat will associate your hand as a toy and it will hurt, especially as the kitten grows! If your cat is in a playful stage, grab a toy, string, or near-by object to play with. Teach your kitten that hands are NOT for biting!
- CUTTING YOUR CATS/KITTENS NAILS: Cutting kitten’s nails is easier than you think. It is a vital key to saving your furniture and drapes during the first year (or more) as they go through the crazy kitten stage and fly around your home like a ninja. Trust me, I have my own ninja attack cat. You can go out and buy some fancy “cat” clippers, but I chose to use good old fashion human nail clippers. WHY? Because I’m use to them and I can cut nails super fast, like a ninja! I sit on the floor, and wrap a towel around the feline and by pressing down slightly on their paws, will cut off the sharp claws. Remember, do not clip the nail where it is pink! Try using treats to distract them, but just do it fast! I set my phone to remind me to cut his nails every 2 weeks. This will be a huge help with your furniture.
- HOW TO DISCIPLINE (The RIGHT way): Always start with a stern or deep, “NO” followed by a secondary action such as blowing in their face, using a squirt bottle filled with water, or a tap on the nose. You can even use a coke can filled with pennies inside and taped shut to make a loud noise after a bad behavior. You can even try clapping your hands. NEVER EVER hit a cat or kitten using your hands or objects as the cat will only start to fear you and not want to be petted by that same hand.
- STAY OFF THE COUNTER! – To keep your cats off the counters or any other area (plants, curtains, or couch) say a stern or deep “NO” first then try spraying them with water in a spray bottle. It is very efficient as cats don’t like getting wet and the cat will become afraid of the water bottle but not you, which is what you want.
- KEEPING CATS AWAY FROM FURNITURE AND OTHER AREAS – Give your cat a quality scratching post to deter her or him from scratching your furniture. I have found that those cardboard scratching pads (that lay horizontal on the ground) work great! Still scratching? Try putting lemon scent or orange scent on the area. Cats hate these smells. Also try double sided sticky tape (Found at most pet supermarkets) or aluminum foil. *For more intense cases where you don’t want your animal coming anywhere near your expensive couch there is a mat called the “Scat Mat or Pawz Away” which is a clear plastic mat that is placed on the couch and once the animal touches the mat it sends out a harmless little static shock. It will teach your cat to never come near it and is what we have used in the past and YES it worked wonderfully.
OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION:
- WET FOOD IS IMPORTANT IN A CAT’S DIET: Wet food is important in a cat’s diet! Wet food is about 75 percent water. Dry food is only about ten percent water. Studies show that cats fed solely dry food have a lower water intake and lower urine volume than cats on a wet food diet, even if they have constant access to fresh water. Some veterinarians warn that insufficient moisture in the diet may increase the risk of crystals or stones in the urinary tract. An ample volume of urine is necessary to dilute solid materials that could otherwise accumulate and form stones. FEED your cat wet food. To avoid those crack heads that wake you up in the morning for their wet food, give a nice portion in the evening time. Or give twice a day. Talk with your veterinarian. I add water to my cats wet food every night as he loves gravy and the more water, the better!
- TAGS AND COLLARS WILL INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF FINDING YOUR LOST ANIMAL-1 IN 3 CATS WILL GO MISSING IN THEIR LIFETIME! A collar and tag can help your animal find his way home should he ever be lost. Many times, a cat finds a new food source and never comes back home! Better yet, outfit your animal a microchip, which greatly increases your chances of finding your animal. You can register any microchip for FREE at www.FoundAnimals.org. To make sure your cat’s collar fits properly, see that you can slip two fingers under the collar between the collar and your cat’s neck. Make sure it is not too loose as it can get caught in your cat’s mouth or on a branch. You can get a tag engraved at your local Walmart or order a collar with the name/phone number sewn into the collar.They also make break-away collars (rubber band type works best as it stays on better or ones where the whole collar is elastic) so your cat can’t get trapped on a branch as the collar will “break away.” Those are HIGHLY recommended. I DO NOT recommend getting any break away collar that is a clasp type (like a seat belt). The cats lose these way too easy. To find excellent break-away collars you can go to Pet Supplies Plus, PetCo, Walmart, or PetSmart. Ones that have the rubber band on one portion or the whole collar is stretchable work great.
- WET FOOD IS IMPORTANT IN A CAT’S DIET: Wet food is important in a cat’s diet! Wet food is about 75 percent water. Dry food is only about ten percent water. Studies show that cats fed solely dry food have a lower water intake and lower urine volume than cats on a wet food diet, even if they have constant access to fresh water. Some veterinarians warn that insufficient moisture in the diet may increase the risk of crystals or stones in the urinary tract. An ample volume of urine is necessary to dilute solid materials that could otherwise accumulate and form stones. FEED your cat wet food. To avoid those crack heads that wake you up in the morning for their wet food, give a nice portion in the evening time. Or give twice a day. Talk with your veterinarian.
- HELP! MY ANIMAL IS MISSING! – Don’t delay looking for your cat. The longer the cat is gone, the further away it may be. Statistics show that owners don’t start looking for their cat for several days. If your cat has been taken to a crowded shelter or municipal pound they may only be able to hold cats for a few days before euthanizing him/her. REMEMBER to call your local humane societies right away and give a description of your animal and where it was lost so they can keep it on file in case they come in contact with him/her at the shelter. Also put out fliers around the neighborhood with a recent photo of your cat/kitten on it. Don’t forget to put an ad in the lost section of the News Journal and on Craigslist.
- A CLEAN LITTER BOX MAKES YOUR KITTY HAPPY – Keep your cat’s catbox clean by scooping it daily! You wouldn’t want to use a toilet that was previously used multiple times without flushing so why would your cat? This would prevent him or her from using the bathroom elsewhere. Scoopable clumping litters work the best for odor control. You can also try putting a thin layer of baking soda at the bottom of the cat box as well.
- FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR A GROWING KITTEN – A bowl of dry food and fresh water should be available at all times. Wet food should be given morning, midday and evening (as much as a growing kitten wants). You can always try adding a little bit of water to the wet food to get it more mushy. The best nutrition you can give your new family member is natural food made for cats without by-products. NEVER give milk to any cat unless it is specifically made for cats.
- FLEA CONTROL ON YOUR PET – Use only vet recommended flea control. Over the counter ones can kill your cat. Revolution & Advantage MULTI (Has to be multi) kills fleas, ear mites, and most internal parasites when used regularly. There are a couple places you can look to find discounted flea controls.
- CCFAW (www.ccfaw.org) – they offer these at a discount.
- I use PetCareRx (www.petcarerx.com) or (www.revivalanimal.com) which are always less expensive to buy flea control than a veterinarian’s office. You will need a prescription (give the sites your vet’s name and number so they can call).
- Regular Dawn dish soap will kill fleas on your cat/kitten and is safe to use at any age. Start at his head and then work your way down. Make sure to rinse it all off and dry off the kitten good. *Place the dish soap directly on the kitten.
- FLEAS IN THE HOME – You can find flea sprays for carpeting/floor at your local Walmart or other stores. Flea bombs work well also just make sure your animals are OUT OF THE HOUSE when using them. Vacuum your floor every day for 7 days and dispose of the contents of the vacuum OUTSIDE of your home. This will suck up any fleas/eggs in your home and is a method I use very often.
RECOMMENDED SHOTS NEEDED FOR YOUR KITTEN OR CAT
Core Kitten Vaccinations (FVRCP & Rabies)
All kittens should receive a vaccination that protects against feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia (FVRCP). These three conditions are highly contagious airborne illnesses that can potentially be fatal in a kitten with a developing immune system. Calicivirus is one of the most common viral causes of feline upper respiratory infections. Panleukopenia (the P in FVRCP), also called feline distemper, can lead to death in 90 percent of cases in kittens under 6 months of age and reason the FVRCP vaccine is so important. The vaccination schedule for FVRCP begins between: 6–8 weeks old, or when you get your new cat/kitten. Booster shots are given: Every 3–4 weeks after. Last FVRCP booster vaccine given: at 16–20 weeks old. *3 total FVRCP vaccines are given with 3-4 weeks in-between each dose*
Rabies is the other core kitten vaccination. Rabies is a fatal disease that can affect not only cats but also many other animals, including humans. Your kitten can receive a rabies vaccination as early as 12 weeks of age, but this depends on state laws and the veterinarian.
Non-Core Kitten Vaccinations
Non-core kitten vaccinations include feline leukemia (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), Chlamydophila felis, and feline Giardia vaccines.
The FeLV vaccine is recommended by some veterinarians for all kittens, while others recommend the vaccine only for those kittens at risk of disease. The decision should be based on your pet’s lifestyle and a discussion with your vet.
SHOT CLINIC’S: Here is a local shot clinic in Volusia County: http://www.ccfaw.org/low-cost-shot-clinics.html Through CCFAW, their vaccines are at great prices and administered by a veterinarian. We always recommend calling ahead to get prices at other shot clinics. Not all are reasonably priced.
Top 10 Animal Toxins found in the Kitchen
While the list is long, we wanted to know: What are ten of the most dangerous — and perhaps unsuspecting — things in the kitchen readily available to dogs and cats that pet owners may not know about? Check out the list below and the reason why:
- Coffee pods, beans, and coffee grounds: are a very dangerous and toxic chemical to cats and dogs. Ingestion can be life threatening. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, a moderate amount of coffee can easily cause death in small dogs or cats. Be careful where you store your coffee. Also be careful of chocolate, soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee- or chocolate-flavored yogurt or ice cream, pain relievers, diet pills and even some caffeine-infused energy foods such as oatmeal and sunflower seeds as they can contain enough caffeine to affect your dog’s heart, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
- Grapes, raisins & currants: According to Pet Poison Helpline, grapes and raisins have been known to cause acute kidney failure in dogs.
- Xylitol/sugar-free gum/candy: Xylitol is a sugar substitute commonly used in sugarless gum, certain cough medicines, children’s chewable multi-vitamins and a variety of nut butters. Xylitol can also be found in a variety of toothpastes and there are a few peanut butter brands that now list xylitol as an ingredients
- Fatty table scraps: As much as your dog would love to chow down on the leftover fat trimmed from your steak, it’s a bad idea to indulge him. Avoid sharing fat-filled items like fast food, fried foods, foods cooked in grease, high fat dairy items, processed meats and junk food. These items can cause severe gastrointestinal upset in dogs. Further, pancreatitis, which can be fatal if left untreated, has been linked to the ingestion of fatty foods.
- Onions & Garlic: Close members of the allium family (onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, chives, scallions) and concentrated versions of them (garlic powder, dehydrated onions, onion soup mix) contain the compound thiosulphate. In dogs, thiosulphate causes hemolytic anemia. It attacks the red blood cells, causing them to burst. Signs of allium toxicity may not be apparent for three to five days after ingestion. They include vomiting, oral irritation, drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, pale gums, weakness, elevated heart or respiratory rate, exercise intolerance and fainting.
- Compost: You might be wondering why compost is bad for your furry friend. After all, dogs eat crazier stuff than food scraps. The danger with compost lies in a fungus called tremorgenic mycotoxin that can occur in moist, decomposing food. Poisons from molds can cause neurological symptoms such as tremors and seizure that can last hours or days if not treated rapidly. Other symptoms include vomiting, hyperactivity, depression, coma, behavior alterations, increase in heart rate, and buildup of fluid in the lungs.
- Human medications: One of the most dangerous rooms of the house with regard to accidental poisonings is the bedroom, since many medications are left on a nightstand. Many adult dogs and teething puppies sleep in the bed with their humans, and thus have easy access to the drugs on that nightstand. Medications left on counters in kitchens and bathrooms find their way into the stomachs of bored dogs, too. Here are a few common medications that are very harmful to dogs or cats. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Indomethacin, Acetaminophen, Xanax, Ambien, Ace inhibitors, Beta Blockers, Adderall. If you pet should ingest ANY medications, call the Pet Poison Hotline and keep the bottle on hand. The vast majority of these accidental intoxications can be successfully managed with early treatment. For poisonings, the best outcomes involve seeking immediate advice from your veterinarian followed by aggressive, proactive treatment
- Macadamia nuts or others: Do not feed your dog nuts or any foods containing nuts. Macadamia nuts can cause serious symptoms in dogs that last up to two days, including rear leg weakness, fever, tremors and pain. Moldy walnuts, hickory nuts and pecans contain the toxin juglone, which can cause seizures and other neurological symptoms. Almonds, pistachios and non-moldy walnuts, pecans and hickory nuts can cause gastrointestinal distress or blockage in the throat or intestinal tract.
- Household cleaners (Oven cleaner or dishwasher detergent): Also known as alkaline substances, oven cleaners and automatic dishwasher detergents have little odor or taste, making them easier to consume by curious pets. Those convenient dishwasher pods are often targeted by pets — and children.
Severe injury to the eyes, skin, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system can be seen and require immediate decontamination, medication and supportive care by a veterinarian. - Unbaked bread dough/alcohol: While most of us know alcohol is bad for our pets, there are some who think it’s funny to share a beer with their pet. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, alcohol poisoning in pets is all too common. You might be surprised to know where alcohol is hidden — and how your pet can become accidentally poisoned: Pure vanilla and almond extracts, certain brands of Dijon mustard, wine vinegar, wine-flavored cheeses, certain whipped creams, marinara sauces prepared with wine, chocolate truffles that may contain rum or bourbon, rum-soaked fruit cakes and unbaked dough. When the yeast in the unbaked dough ferments in your pet’s stomach, it produces carbon dioxide and alcohol which is then rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. Ingestion of alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature. Intoxicated animals can experience seizures and respiratory failure.
PET POISON HELPLINE: 1-800-213-6680
Why spay and neuter your pet?
- Spaying and neutering makes your pet a better, more affectionate companion
- Spaying a female before her first heat protects her from risks of uterine, ovarian, and mammary cancers.
- Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals. Female cats can also spray urine in the same manner that is usually associated with tomcats – lifting the tail and squirting urine on a vertical surface (my father had this personal experience until he finally got his cat spayed).
- Spaying and neutering makes pets less likely to bite
- Neutering your pet will make him less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights
- An average cat has 1-8 kittens per litter, and 2-3 litters per year.
- A single pair of cats and their kittens can produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just 7 years.
- In six years, one female dog and her offspring can be the source of 67,000 puppies
*****PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD FOR PEOPLE TO SPAY AND NEUTER THEIR PETS!*****
Health problems that could arise in your cat
Litter box issues. This is the number one problem that people report with their cats. It can be very frustrating when this happens, but since cats can’t communicate with words, they have to try and communicate by other means. There is usually a reason cats avoid their litter box and there are many ways to resolve the issue.
- Talk with your veterinarian. Bladder stones, urinary tract diseases, and crystals in the urine are all reasons your cat might start avoiding the litter box. You need to rule these issues out first and a visit to your vet is necessary. Many times a cat will pee on a tile floor as it is very cooling to a pet in pain. Please be aware of odd or new behaviors.
- Have at least one litter box per cat. If your kitty has to stand in line before she can relieve herself, she may decide to take her bathroom break elsewhere.
- ALWAYS KEEP the litter box clean — even clumping litter has to be changed regularly. A rule of thumb: Clean the box at least once daily, twice if there’s more than one cat in the house.You wouldn’t want to use a dirty toilet, so don’t do that to your pet.
- Changes in your home can upset your felines. Being in animal rescue for 10 years now, we’ve seen it all. A lady who adopted from us changed out her carpet for tile floors. Her cats were not pleased and started peeing outside their box. She took them to her vet and they had no underlying medical issues. She ended up trying Pheromones (Feliway) which fixed the problem! I’ve also heard of other medications that can help this issue as well. New animals in the home can also create problems. Just be aware that there are many ways to correct this behavior! Please be patient with your voiceless pet. Tapeworms – Looks like a piece of white rice. It is found in their feces, bedding, or around the anus of the cat or kitten. Tapeworms are very common and generally aren’t harmful to cats. Rarely, tapeworms may cause debilitation or weight loss if they are present in large numbers. Cats become infected with tapeworms from swallowing a flea infected with a tapeworm larvae or from eating infected mice or other exposed animals. To rid your cat/kitten (over 7 weeks old) of these, purchase Praziquantel Feline Tape Worm Tablets or liquid. Usually you can buy this over the counter at your local pet supermarkets (Petco/PetSmart). Check with your vet if you have any concerns or questions. One pill costs anywhere from 4-8 dollars. Some vets like to charge you a visit fee for this issue, while others will let you walk in to grab the pill.
*Here is the dosing chart for Praziquantel Feline Tape Worm Tablets 23mg each (not located on the bottle). 4 lbs and under = ½ tablet, 5-11 lbs = 1 tablet, Over 11 lbs = 1 ½ tablets. - A simple illness can overwhelm a kitten very quickly. If your kitten becomes lethargic or has any drastic changes in behavior. call a vet ASAP. Your kitten relies on your for help.
Spay/Neuter Locations
[expand title=”1) REDINGER CLINIC7 DISCOUNT SPAY AND NEUTER LOCATIONS *If you know of other locations not listed here that offer discount spay and neuter please contact us so we can add that location to our master list!
“] Located within the Arnie Foundation complex. They offer discount neuters ($25) and discount spays ($40). They also offer LOW COST vaccinations (1 vaccination for $10, 2 for $15, and 3 for $25) and identification chips incase your pet ever gets lost. Identification chips only cost $15.98. *Make sure to REGISTER your microchips after receiving one!
****FOR DOGS**** (at Redinger Clinic) # 310-4935: Male (up to 29 lbs) $45 and Female (up to 29 lbs) $55. Male (30-59 lbs) $55 and Female (30-59 lbs) $65. Male (60-80 lbs) $60 and Female (60-80 lbs) $75. Male (over 80 lbs) $75 and each additional 10 lbs is $5 dollars and Female (over 80 lbs) $90 and each additional 10 lbs is $5 dollars.
Website | Map | Call (386) 310-4935
[/expand] [expand title=”2) CCFAW (Concerned Citizens for Animal welfare)“]** Located in the Port Orange/Daytona area www.ccfaw.org You can go to their website to see upcoming days for LOW COST SHOT CLINICS. ALSO at their shot clinics you can purchase flea meds and heart worm medications (with proof of heart worm test). CCFAW sets up spay and neuter appointments at participating vet clinics east side of the county. Cat Spay costs $45 and a cat neuter $35. Shots are super inexpensive (rabies 10 dollars and distemper 10 dollars).
***DOGS*** CCFAW also does spay and neuter at a discount for dogs. Please contact them for prices. You can email CCFAW so they can schedule your discount spay/neuter/shots at CCFAW@CCFAW.ORG.
For Dog and Cat Spay and Neuter Call:
Cheryl Robel @ (386)-760-2324
For Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) and Feral or Free Roaming Cat Issues Call:
Pat Mihalic @ 386-405-1559
For Low Cost Pet Shot Clinic and General Information Call:
Marea DeMauro @ 386-760-6330
[/expand] [expand title=”3) “Volusia Society for Animal Aid” in Edgewater“]Cat neuters $60 Cat spay’s $80. Shots are $16 for distemper and $10 for rabies *Feral Cats* $45 for spay and $35 for neuter (additional $20 for shots). Will receive an ear tip as well. Dogs will go by weight. Please call for more information. 4) FLAGLER CATS located in BUNNELL Address: 2550 N. State St. (US1) Suite #11 Bunnell, Fl 32110 Phone: (386) 503-4250 Male cats – $45 includes neuter, rabies, distemper shot, full exam and pain meds Female cats- $60 includes spay, rabies, distemper shot, full exam and pain meds *Feral cats*- $25 includes spay/neuter and shots WITH an EAR-TIP (cat must come in a trap)
Map | Call (386)-957-3994
[/expand] [expand title=”4) FLAGLER HUMANE SOCIETY“]The Flagler Humane Society offers two discount spay/neuter programs for cats: Option #1: $25 dollars for spay or neuter for a cat which INCLUDES the rabies shot and MANDATORY ear tip (Ear-tip is an universal signal that shows the animal has been fixed). Distemper shot is an additional $15. Option #2: $50 for a spay or $35 for a neuter for a cat. Rabies cost $12 and distemper $15. This is WITH NO EAR TIP *** WIth this facility, you must go into the shelter and fill out the paperwork and PRE-PAY for the spay/neuter appointment. No payments over the phone. ****FOR DOGS*** $95 = female spay of over 80 lbs $80 = female spay 3-80 lbs $80 = Male neuter over 80 lbs $65 = Male neuter 3-80 lbs Rabies costs $12 and Distemper at $15. Please call for any additional information or check out web
Website | Map | Call (386)-445-1814
[/expand] [expand title=”5) PET VET CRUISER“]for the county if a person lives in the unincorporated part of the county or the cities of Deland or South Daytona. The county offers a Free Roaming Cat program that is unlimited for these residents and the cost is $25per cat no matter what the sex is. This program is not income based. This includes the spay/neuter, a rabies vaccination and also the ear notch. an***For household cats, If you qualify you may be able to receive low cost spay/neuter as low as $15.00. You must show proof. Please call the following numbers to get more information.
Call
Daytona Beach: (386)-323-3575
Deland: (386)-626-6643
New Smyrna Beach: (386)-424-6875 [/expand] [expand title=”6) NEUTER COMMUTER in Ocala (for Marion County residents only)
“]$40 dollars for cats/dogs male or female. The 40 dollars includes spay/neuter, rabies shot, and micro-chipping. Call a month or so in advance to make an appointment.
Map | Call (352)-307-1351
[/expand] [expand title=”7) Misfit Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic“]Cat spays and neuter $50 Dogs (goes by weight) Visit website at: www.misfitclinic.org PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD ON DISCOUNT SPAY/NEUTER so less kittens/dogs are born which will give homes to the ones in shelters! Our local humane society euthanizes 50 a day, so please spread the word and never make the humane society the last place your pet lives.
Map | Call (352)-742-0690
[/expand]Why spay and neuter cats and dogs?
The single most important thing that we can do to save cats and dogs from all the suffering and death that their overpopulation causes is to spay and neuter them. Spaying and neutering are routine, affordable surgeries that can prevent thousands of animals from being born, only to suffer and struggle to survive on the streets, be abused by cruel or neglectful people, or be euthanized in animal shelters for lack of a loving home.Spaying and neutering makes a big difference: Just one unaltered female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in only six years. In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce an incredible 370,000 kittens!
Sterilized animals live longer, happier lives. Spaying eliminates the stress and discomfort that females endure during heat periods, eliminates the risk of uterine cancer, and greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer. Neutering makes males far less likely to roam or fight, prevents testicular cancer, and reduces the risk of prostate cancer. Altered animals are less likely to contract deadly, contagious diseases, such as feline AIDS and feline leukemia that are spread through bodily fluid.
*****REMEMBER you can always contact your LOCAL humane society to find out where you can get your dog/cat spayed or neutered at a discount if this list is not helpful to you. IF they can’t do it for a discount they will most likely be able to give you information/numbers for places that do.*******
THE TRUTH ABOUT ANIMAL SHELTERS THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW:
Many people have this unrealistic idea that if they bring their pet to an animal shelter that they will be placed in loving homes. That is very far from the truth and I wanted to share a few statistics from our local humane societies.
At Halifax Humane Society on LPGA in Daytona Beach (HHS) during cat and kitten season, about 1,000 a month are EUTHANIZED. This averages out to 50 cats/kittens A DAY (50 per day x 20 working days).
SEVHS took in 2409 animals in 2013 and they euthanized 265 dogs and 1,385 cats. So, out of 2,409 animals only 759 were placed in homes, which left 1,650 euthanized.
It is not the shelters fault, it is the fault of pet owners who do not get their pets fixed and let them wander or decide they no longer want them and surrender them to a shelter. Please don’t ever give your animal the ultimate fate of being euthanized at a shelter. Give them a chance by finding them a suitable home. Animals do not get a choice of who becomes their caregiver, so don’t give them the choice of death.