Why Spay and Neuter Your Pets?

High Volume & High Quality
SOS of Ohio is able to provide services at a low cost in part because of the high-volume of animals we see every day - but high-volume does not mean low-quality. The animals altered at our clinic receive a high level of care by staff members that truly care about the welfare of your animal. SOS of Ohio uses an anesthetic protocol that is widely accepted in our field. Licensed veterinarians perform the spay or neuter operation while the pet is under full anesthesia. All pets stay at our clinic for the day so we are able to observe them prior to going home.

Is Spaying/Neutering Really Good For My Pet?
Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, happier lives. It can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat. Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first cycle. Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.

For Your Pet's Health
Spaying or neutering your pet can improve both their health and happiness. Having your female animals spayed keeps them from going into heat. Spaying and neutering will also reduce the risk of certain health problems, giving you more years with your precious dog or cat companions. It is also important to mention that by reducing the number of homeless pets in your neighborhood, you are limiting the possibility that your pet will encounter a violent animal or one carrying a dangerous disease.

The Statistics
Every year in the United States an estimated five million animals lose their lives in shelters. That is one pet life lost every 6.5 seconds. It costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated two billion dollars each year to round up, house, euthanize, and dispose of homeless animals. The pet overpopulation epidemic is so staggering that for every animal born in the United States to have a home, each and every human being would have to own 6 dogs and 9 cats.

Overpopulation
By making sure that your pet can’t have puppies or kittens, you’ll have peace of mind that their offspring won’t be euthanized in an animal shelter. Many people are surprised to learn that nationwide, more than five million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters. You might think that these are animals born in the streets or there is something “wrong” with them, but often they are the offspring of cherished family pets, even purebreds. Maybe someone’s dog or cat got out just that one time, or maybe the litter was intentional, but efforts to find enough good homes failed. Still, the result is homeless animals that have to be euthanized because there are more dogs and cats entering shelters than there are people willing to provide them with loving care. Even if you do find homes for your pet’s puppies or kittens, that means there are fewer homes available to take in other pets from shelters. Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats. Millions of pet deaths each year are a tragedy – but it can be solved. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution. Contact SOS of Ohio today and be sure to let your family and friends know that they should do the same.

What Do "Spay" and "Neuter" Really Mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases, the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet’s age, size, and health, they will stay at your veterinarian’s office for a few hours to a day.

At What Age Can I Get My Pet Sterilized?
Pets can become parents sooner than you think! SOS of Ohio will spay or neuter puppies and kittens when they are three months or two pounds, whichever comes first. If you are not sure how much your kitten or puppy weighs, please bring them to our clinic and we will be happy to do a weight check for you. It is a myth that you can’t spay/neuter kittens and puppies when they’re so young – they actually bounce back from spay/neuter surgery very quickly! Pediatric spay/neuter is safer and less stressful on the animal than waiting until they're older.