The Fond du Lac Humane Society is encouraging the community to have their pets spayed or neutered. Pet overpopulation results in millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds being euthanized annually in shelters or suffering as strays. Many of these were the result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering. Rarely surviving for more than a few years on their own, strays die painfully by starvation, disease, freezing or being hit by cars.

In 2004, the Fond du Lac Humane Society took in almost 1600 animals, many of which were unplanned litters of kitten and puppies. By offering to help with the costs of sterilizing pets, the shelter is hoping to decrease the number of stray and abandoned animals in our community.

Thanks to the generosity of International Paper, Wal Mart, and Tobin Manufacturing, the Humane Society is now able to offer responsible pet owners financial assistance in an effort to have more animals spayed or neutered. "We realize that some loving, responsible families just don’t have the resources to get this necessary surgery” said Lucy Mathers, shelter manager. Not only will this help with unwanted litters, but it will also help families establish a relationship with their veterinarians for future medical care.

The SNAP (Spay/Neuter Assistance Program) Fund was started to slow down the births of accidental litters and relinquished daily to the shelter. SNAP is a beneficial program proven to help pets, their owners, and our community. Over the years SNAP has helped hundreds of low-income families and prevented the unwanted births of litters.

To qualify for the SNAP, pet owners must meet low-income guidelines and show proof of current rabies and distemper vaccination. Fond du Lac City residents interested in SNAP for their pet can contact the Fond du Lac Humane Society at 922-8873. There will be a limit of two pets per household. If you are interested in donating to the SNAP fund, please call Lucy at 922-8873.

Preventing pet over-population is not the only reason to spay or neuter your pet, here are many more, according to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

Did you know that a spayed or neutered (sterilized) animal is better behaved?

Males - Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families, whereas unsterilized, unsupervised males roam in search of a mate, risking injury in traffic and in fights with other males. They mark territory by spraying strong-smelling urine on surfaces. Don't confuse aggressiveness with protectiveness; a neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as an unneutered dog, and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.

Females - While their cycles vary greatly, most female cats exhibit the following signs when in heat. For four or five days, every three weeks, they yowl and urinate more frequently-sometimes all over the house- advertising for mates. Often, they attract unneutered males who spray urine around the females' home. Female dogs also attract males from great distances.

Did you know that a spayed or neutered animal will live a longer, healthier life?

Spaying a female (removing the ovaries and uterus) or neutering a male (removing the testicles) are veterinary procedures performed under general anesthesia. Both surgeries usually require minimal hospitalization.

Neutering a male cat or dog by six months of age prevents testicular cancer, prostate disease and hernias. Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent pyometra (a pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer; having this done before the first heat offers the best protection from these diseases. Treatment of pyometra requires hospitalization, intravenous (IV) fluids, antibiotics and spaying. Breast cancer can be fatal in about 50 percent of female dogs and 90 percent of female cats. With an older, seriously ill animal, anesthesia and surgery are complicated and costly.

Myth and Facts about Spaying and Neutering

Myth - A female cat or dog should have a litter before she is spayed. Fact - The sooner you spay your female, the better her health will be in the future. As long as a kitten or puppy weighs more than three pounds and is two months old, he or she can be neutered or spayed. Many veterinarians are practicing perfectly safe early sterilization. The likelihood of developing mammary tumors or uterine infections increases the longer a female goes unspayed. In fact, a female spayed before sexual maturity (six to nine months of age) has one-seventh the risk of an intact female of developing mammary cancer.

Myth - Spaying or neutering (sterilization) will alter my pet's personality. Fact - Any slight changes will be positive. Regardless of the age when spayed or neutered, your pet will remain a caring, loving and protective companion. Neutering will reduce the need to breed, and that has a calming effect on many animals. Both neutered male canines and felines tend to stop roaming and fighting and lose the desire to mark their territory with urine.

Myth - Companion animals will become fat and lazy if they are neutered. Fact - Absolutely not! Lack of exercise and overfeeding make pets fat and lazy- not neutering. Your pet will not gain weight if you provide exercise and monitor food intake. Neutering is good for your pet, since sterilized pets tend to live an average of two to three years longer than unsterilized pets.

Myth - Sterilization is a dangerous and painful surgery for my pet. Fact - Spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed on animals. With a minimal amount of home care, your pet will resume normal behavior in a couple of days.

Myth - Children should witness the miracle of birth. Fact - Countless books and videos are available to teach your children about birth in a responsible manner. Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is teaching your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the truth behind this dangerous myth.

Help the pets by recycling your aluminum cans at the Shelter's drop-off bin 24/7!