Spay/Neuter Help
Where to get help?
Here you'll find resources regarding how to spay and neuter your pets. It is important to spay/nueter your pets for the safety of your pets and the happiness of our community. Any county resident that wishes to get his/her pet spayed or neutered, but needs financial assistance to do so - may call us at 423-743-7554. Funds are limited and are sent directly to your veterinarian. Donations are also sought and welcome to grow this program. Thank you.
LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM
The Unicoi Humane Society, Unicoi Animal Shelter, and the Margaret Mitchell Clinic have joined together to offer the residents of Unicoi County a low cost Spay/Neuter Program.
Registration for this program begins in February and the first transport date is March 22nd, 2010.
The Cost: Any Dog $60.00 Male Cat $40.00 Female Cat $55.00
The Humane Society is also offering a reimbursement amount of $25.00 once the surgery is performed.
To Register for this program and get more information please call the Animal Shelter
423-743-3071
Why Spay & Neuter?
| Cats and dogs entering shelters each year | 6-8 million* |
| Cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year | 3-4 million* |
| Cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year | 3-4 million* |
| Cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year | 600,000-750,000* |
| Animal shelters in the United States | 4,000-6,000* |
| Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred | 25%* |
| Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year | 3 |
| Average number of kittens in a feline litter | 4-6 |
| Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year | 2 |
| Average number of puppies in a canine litter | 6-10 |
In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.
In six years, one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs.
The truth about spaying and neutering:
- Altered animals are better companions. Because they are less likely to roam in search of a mate and to participate in aggressive behavior, they can live longer, healthier lives.
- Neutered cats are less likely to spray and mark their territory.
- Spaying a female dog or cat removes its heat cycle, which eliminates the constant crying and nervous behavior they display for a week to two weeks, as often as two to three times a year.
- Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to bite than unaltered animals
- Even if you are able to find homes for all of your animal's offspring, allowing your pet to have babies contributes to the pet overpopulation problem by reducing the number of homes available for animals awaiting adoption in shelters.
- While shelters try their best to find homes for all animals under their care, the sad fact is that there are not enough homes to go around.
- Altering your pet will not lead to it getting fat. Animals gain weight because they are fed too much and are given too little exercise. Removing the reproductive system eliminates organs that are subject to infections, tumors and cancers.
- Your pet should not be used to teach your children the "miracle of birth," unless you are also prepared to teach them the "reality of death." Unwanted animals are killed by the thousands each day throughout the United States, making it a tough lesson to learn, especially for the animals.