Throughout the month of February, the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia is raising awareness on the importance of having pets spayed or neutered.
February is often known as Spay/Neuter Awareness Month. Sam Threadgill, chief philanthropy officer for HSNEGA, said pets need to be fixed in order to prevent an unwanted litter of puppies or kittens.
“Your dog can go outside and accidentally get impregnated by an animal in the community,” said Threadgill. “Then you have 10 puppies that you don't know what to do with, and you end up having to take them to a shelter.”
Threadgill said Spay/Neuter Awareness Month coincides with the time of year many female pets get pregnant.
“The spring is puppy and kitten season, because this is the time of year where it starts to warm up and animals go back outside,” said Threadgill. “I think this month is an attempt to educate people about spay/neuter so that we can potentially avoid that kitten and puppy months or kitten season.”
Threadgill said animal shelters are overrun with unwanted puppies or kittens, some of which can be euthanized if the shelter does not have room.
While the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia is a no-kill shelter, staff do have to turn away animals when they get full. These animals could, in time, be taken to a kill shelter.
“They could be euthanized just simply because they don't have enough space for them, not because they want to euthanize them,” said Threadgill.
Threadgill said overpopulation of domestic animals is a problem throughout the southern United States due to a lack of understanding the benefits of spay/neuter. However, word has spread over time, and since taking office Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has issued a proclamation each year recognizing February as Spay/Neuter Awareness Month in Georgia.
In addition to preventing unwanted litters, having a pet spayed or neutered can lower their risk of some diseases and help with behavioral issues. For example, Threadgill said male pets that are not neutered can develop testicular cancer, while females can develop ovarian cancer.
According to VCAHospitals.com, testicular tumors are considered one of the most common tumors in older, intact male dogs. Malignant ovarian cancers are uncommon in female pets, but the best way to prevent ovarian cancers altogether is to have pets spayed.
Currently, the low cost spay/neuter clinic at the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia is closed until later notice. However, Threadgill said many other local veterinarians will run specials during spay/neuter month.
Threadgill said having a pet spayed or neutered is worth the cost.
“It might end up costing them more if their animal gets pregnant, because there's a lot of cost involved in that,” she said.
The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia will keep the public updated via their website when the spay/neuter clinic reopens.
