spaying and neutering

[Kiz]

And for the record, I am all for spaying and neutering. It makes for a healthier, happier animal. And cuts back on unwanted animals.

You do know your two posts are mutually exclusive. That's all I want to do with human animals, after all.

[Kiz]

We're denying the right of cats to choose what to do with their own body/family/life, too. I agree that we do have the right and responsibility to make these decisions for our companion animals, they do not have the sort of intelligence or knowledge that would enable them to realise and understand the feline (or canine) overpopulation problem and, thus, we make that decision for them. It is evident that many human animals also do not possess the sort of intelligence or knowledge of the hominid overpopulation so, being the compassionate guardians of the earth that we are, should we not also make that decision for them, since they are obviously incapable of doing so?

[Kibbleforlola]

We're denying the right of cats to choose what to do with their own body/family/life, too. I agree that we do have the right and responsibility to make these decisions for our companion animals, they do not have the sort of intelligence or knowledge that would enable them to realise and understand the feline (or canine) overpopulation problem and, thus, we make that decision for them. It is evident that many human animals also do not possess the sort of intelligence or knowledge of the hominid overpopulation so, being the compassionate guardians of the earth that we are, should we not also make that decision for them, since they are obviously incapable of doing so?

Short answer: No.

Who would get to decide who is 'competent' enough to have kids? Would these people also get to force the intelligent to breed? For the good of humanity? I don't want my reproductive choices to be determined by anybody but me.

Also, I think you greatly underestimate the intelligence of others. Just because somebody doesn't share your opinions does not make them stupid. I am sorry you are so jaded.

[IamJen]

Mod note:

The conversation about human overpopulation/sterilization has been moved here, to the TNR thread which Kiz started: http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/s...d.php?t=112626

Please leave this thread for discussion of spaying/neutering animals.

[amhappy1]

My cats have been spayed and neutered, but my dog is not. The vet says his blood does not clot properly and the surgery may cause him to bleed to death.

I think every animal that can be spayed or neutered should be, but having my dog bleed to death is not acceptable to me. I walk him on a leash. It's the only thing I can do.

[Kibbleforlola]

Amhappy1, well, of course, nobody expects you to put your dog through a surgery he might not recover from. If you are a responsible pet owner, and it sounds like you are, I don't see the problem.

[whisper]

there is NO excuse to ever breed or not fix a dog or cat.
__________________
That is so cool of you. I'm so glad to read that because I feel the absolute same way. People that don't do it are lazy pet owners.

I'm all for it and I think the majority of people on here are as well.

I am new here and I wasn't sure about peoples ideas here. I was positive what mine are and I didn't want to get pounced on for answering a question earlier and that's why I asked.

Don't be afraid to share your ideas or views. You'll find just about every point of view on here.

[imahag]

Excellent. Thank you very much

[cheekywhiskers]

My cats have been spayed and neutered, but my dog is not. The vet says his blood does not clot properly and the surgery may cause him to bleed to death.

If you haven't already, please get a second opinion. Some bleeding disorders are temporary or can be reasonably treated. I have seen some animals not fixed because their vet said they couldn't be for one reason or another, but in reality, the health problem that the vet said was there wasn't or was no longer. I'm not saying this so you can rush to fix your dog, but so you can monitor him and not worry about future surgeries should he need them (like tumor removals).

I'm all for fixing dogs and cats. There are definate health benefits for females (spayed female dogs live on average 2 years longer than unspayed ones) and males make better pets without testosterone. There is a small percentage of people who can responsibly have intact pets without allowing them to breed or get loose or cause trouble for other people. Pet overpopulation is such a major problem that I'd rather prevent new life than take existing life.

[s0ad]

I agree that most pets should be spayed/neutered but don't think people should necessarily be frowned upon for not doing so. Its a little frustrating though, with an intact male, to be lumped into a group of "irresponsible owners" who are "lazy." I can't tell you how many random people scuff at me or try an lecture me. In his case, he has never had issues with being intact. He has always LOVED dogs (male, female, intact or not), never humps, doesn't spray scent, never aggressive etc. I also watch him like a hawk, he hasn't gotten away from me in 6 years (he did a couple of times get away from my parents, but no longer lives with them). If he ever did run away I am almost certain he would be killed by a car (he doesn't look when he runs) before he ever got a chance to mate.

Anyway, I will always get females spayed, I think there are too many positives not to. But when researching the benefits of getting my little guy neutered the pros didn't outweigh the cons. I think neutering will always depend on the individual dog for me (unless they are already neutered in which case its not an issue). I've read a few other studies such as this: http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-hea..._benefits.aspx
and for my dog (who is on the lazier/I'll eat anything within an inch of my mouth side) I decided neutering wasn't best. I also go to the vet on a regular basis and am always sure they check him for any possible tumors associated with him being intact, and give him a self-check every month.

I suppose I have a different opinion on this than most VBers, but I just can't bring myself to believe that one procedure is to the benefit of all the animals it is preformed on. My dog's health is the most important to me, more important than the hypothetical litters of pups he would spawn if he hypothetically ran away and hypothetically had a successive mate with an unspayed female.